(NewsNation) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams will go before a New York federal judge Friday on charges alleging he accepted bribes and illegal foreign campaign contributions.
Friday’s arraignment at noon ET will mark Adams’ first court appearance on federal conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery allegations. The court procedure typically involves a formal reading of the charges, often followed by an initial plea. It’s not uncommon for criminal defendants to plead not guilty at that time.
It’s unclear whether Adams will turn himself in or if authorities will take the mayor into federal custody. Adams said Thursday he has no plans to resign.
NewsNation will cover Friday’s court appearance and publish updates as they become available.
What is Eric Adams accused of?
The accusations against Adams are outlined in a 57-page grand jury indictment that a judge unsealed Thursday. The indictment comes on the heels of a widespread ongoing investigation into the mayor’s administration and the resignation of several top city officials.
Adams — who oversees public operations in the nation’s largest city — is accused of accepting bribes from foreign nationals and taking illegal campaign contributions in exchange for favors.
Authorities said this included helping Turkish officials secure fire-safety approvals for a 36-story Turkish consulate building even though it didn’t pass inspection. The allegations of long-running corruption date back nearly a decade, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a Thursday news conference announcing the indictment.
They include alleged straw donor contributions and abuse of a city program that promised to provide up to $8 in matching funds for each $1 of up to $250 in donations from New York City residents. That amounts to nearly $13,000 in matching funds during the 2021 election cycle, according to charging documents.
What’s next for Eric Adams, New Yorkers?
Adams addressed the charges at a news conference Thursday when he told New Yorkers to “wait to hear our defense before making any judgments.”
Several top city officials have announced their resignation from the Adams administration in recent weeks. It’s unclear if or how those resignations may be connected to the mayor’s criminal case.
“The conduct alleged in the indictment, the foreign money, the corporate money, the bribery, the years of concealment, is a grave breach of the public’s trust,” Williams said Thursday. “We continue to dig, and we will hold more people accountable.”
