Thu Sep 26 15:01:44 UTC 2024: ## NYC Mayor Eric Adams Charged with Bribery and Fraud in Turkish Donation Scheme

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on Thursday on federal charges of bribery and fraud, stemming from allegations that he received illegal campaign donations from the Turkish government. The indictment, which follows a months-long investigation, accuses Adams of accepting contributions from a senior Turkish official in exchange for influencing the city’s fire department to approve a new Turkish consulate building.

According to the indictment, the Turkish official facilitated donations to Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign and provided him with gifts, including discounted Turkish Airlines flights. The indictment also alleges that Adams received donations from straw donors and defrauded the city by using these donations to receive about $10 million in matching public funds.

Adams has denied the allegations and rejected calls for his resignation. He stated that his “day-to-day will not change” and that his lawyers would “take care of the case.”

The charges against Adams, a former NYPD captain who was elected as the city’s second Black mayor in 2022, come as a shock to many. The FBI has seized his devices and searched his home on multiple occasions, as well as the homes of several of his aides.

If Adams resigns, he would be replaced by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams. New York Governor Kathy Hochul could also remove Adams from office.

This unfolding scandal has shaken the city and raised questions about the integrity of the Adams administration. The legal proceedings are expected to be closely watched, as they could have a significant impact on the future of the city’s political landscape.

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