Yesterday, the mayor of New York, Eric Adamswho has been under investigation since 2021, was officially indicted by federal prosecutors for corruption, fraud and soliciting illegal donations to the Turkish government for its election campaign. all that makes the defendant, a former state senator and former police captain, the first mayor of this city to be indicted while in office.
The charges were filed after federal prosecutors asked his city council to disclose all of the Adams administration’s dealings with Turkey, primarily, but also with five other countries. Adams has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. So much so that the mayor said he would not resign. The ball is therefore in the court of the state governor, Kathy Hochulwith the power to revoke him through a process that would begin with a 30-day temporary suspension and give him the opportunity to defend himself.
The 57-page indictment alleges that Adams, as Brooklyn borough president in 2014 and until he became mayor, “sought and accepted valuable and inappropriate benefits”such as luxury international trips taken by wealthy foreign businessmen and at least one Turkish government official who sought to influence him. Prosecutors say that in 2018, after announcing his intention to run for mayor, he accepted and sought illegal contributions for his 2021 campaign, as well as other assets of various values.
As Adams’ power grew, according to this account, his foreign benefactors sought to capitalize on these connections, particularly when, in 2021, it became clear that he would be the city’s next mayor. Adams is currently seeking re-election to a second term and, according to this document, he was already planning to solicit more illegal contributions and access the requests of those who supported you in 2021.
Several police cars parked in front of the mayor’s house.
Reuters
The indictment says these donations from wealthy taxpayers were hidden by front men in the United States and that the companies did so through multiple employees, thereby circumventing the law that seeks to prevent foreign influence in elections and to reduce corporate power in politics, which Adams said. was aware. He also claims that the mayor “stole public funds” by using these donations to take advantage of a New York funding program.
He even points out that a Turkish official who made donations through nominees allowed Adams and his companions to travel for free or at reduced prices on Turkey’s national airline to that country and other destinations. such as France, China, Sri Lanka, India and Hungary. Adams visited Turkey for free twice in 2015.
This official, along with other Turks, allegedly made various arrangements for Adams and his companions to stay for free in five-star hotels, eat in luxury restaurants and enjoy entertainment without paying during their stay in the Eurasian country. Upon his return, the mayor did not report the events, as is required of public officials and candidates. What’s more: during one of his trips to Turkey in 2019, he was put in contact with a rich businessman from that country, who brought him $50,000.
In exchange for these benefits, the Turkish official asked Adams, as mayor, to pressure the fire department to allow the opening of a building that would house that country’s consulate in Manhattan, before the Nations United. The most curious thing is that the administration had not approved it previously due to security concerns.. And not only that. As mayor, prosecutors say, he also helped some Turkish taxpayers resolve problems with municipal agencies.
