New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal criminal charges, The New York Times reported Wednesday night. The indictment is still sealed, so the nature of the charges are unclear. Adams is the first New York mayor to be indicted while in office.
Prior to the indictment, Adams and his administration were caught in a tangled web of federal investigations involving subpoenas, raids, and turmoil within city hall.
Adams addressed the indictment in a statement to CBS New York. “I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target—and a target I became,” he said. “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
Earlier this month, the FBI raided the homes of several top Adams administration officials including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, and Schools Chancellor David Banks. Authorities also seized electronic devices belonging to Adams’ adviser Timothy Pearson, and issued a slew of subpoenas to other members of his administration.
The raids were not connected to a single investigation. Caban resigned from his post shortly after having his devices seized, as authorities probed allegations that his twin brother, James Caban, had been exploiting his connections to the police commissioner in service of his nightlife business ventures.
Others who had their homes raided are being investigated in connection to separate allegations of a bribery scheme potentially involving Terence Banks — a consultant and fundraiser for Adams as well as the brother of Philip and David Banks. On Sept. 24, David announced that he would be resigning from his position as school chancellor at the end of December.
Adams’ top legal counsel, Lisa Zornberg, as well as Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, also abruptly left the administration in September.
The mayor has attempted to shrug off the growing crisis within his administration. “I say over and over again, as a former member of law enforcement, I’m very clear. We follow the rules. We make sure that we cooperate and turn over any information that is needed and it just really would be inappropriate to get in the way of the review while it’s taking place,” he told CBS New York earlier this month.
Now that he has been indicted, Adams may ultimately succumb to pressure from state and city lawmakers urging him to resign. Three state senators, two City Council members, and one Assembly Member have publicly called for the mayor to step down, as has Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
“I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” she wrote on Wednesday. “The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration. For the good of the city, he should resign.”
Brad Lander, the city’s comptroller who has already announced his intention to run for mayor, called for Adams to step down shortly after the news of the indictment went public. “Mayor Adams, like all New Yorkers, deserves due process, the presumption of innocence, and his day in court,” he wrote on X. “However, it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will require a significant amount of the time and attention needed to govern this great city. The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can get the full focus its leadership demands.”
If Adams were to resign, New York City’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would become the acting mayor, and a special election would be held to replace him.
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