Mayor Eric Adams pleads not guilty to taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions

On Thursday, federal prosecutors unsealed a 57-page indictment alleging he carried out illegal activity as far back as 2014 when serving as Brooklyn borough president.

Associated Press

Sep 27, 2024, 12:14 PM

Updated 2 hr ago

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty Friday to federal bribery charges and other counts that have roiled the nation's biggest city after months of investigations, searches and subpoenas.
Adams, a Democrat, entered the plea before a packed courtroom gallery in Manhattan a day after prosecutors revealed charges alleging that he accepted overseas travel and illegal campaign donations from people looking to buy his influence in city government.
The mayor is accused of exploiting a yearslong relationship with people tied to Turkey, who funded his travel and fueled his run for mayor with donations that helped him qualify for more than $10 million in public campaign funds. People who aren't U.S. citizens are banned by law from donating to U.S. political candidates.
Adams pleaded not guilty to all five charges in the indictment: wire fraud, bribery, two counts of receiving campaign contributions from a foreign national, and conspiracy. If convicted of the most serious charge, wire fraud, he faces up to 20 years in prison, federal prosecutors said.
The mayor maintains that he did nothing wrong and has vowed to stay in office, rebuffing calls to quit from a growing chorus of officials, including some members of Congress and some likely challengers in next year's mayoral election.
Adams, 64, is due back in court Wednesday for a case conference.