New York City Mayor Eric L. Adams was indicted Wednesday following a federal corruption investigation, per the New York Times. As reported, the indictment remains sealed and it remains unclear what charges Mayor Adams will face.
Adams will be the first mayor of New York City to face criminal charges while in office. The indictment comes as the former state Senator and retired police captain’s administration face increasing scrutiny from the F.B.I. and federal prosecutors in an investigation that began more than two years ago, focusing on his 2021 mayoral campaign. The investigation became public knowledge last year, when the F.B.I. searched his chief fundraiser’s home.
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“I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became,” Adams said in a statement after the indictment news broke. “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
Earlier Wednesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called on Adams to resign, writing in a post on X, “The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”
She continued, “For the good of the city, he should resign.”
Brad Lander, the city comptroller who is running for mayor, also urged Adams to step down from his position. “The hardworking people of New York City deserve a city government and leadership they can trust,” he said. “Right now, they don’t have it.”
If Adams were to resign, New York City’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would become the acting mayor.
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