What we know about the indictment of Mayor Adams – and what's next

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was charged with wire fraud, bribery and soliciting illegal foreign campaign contributions in an unprecedented federal indictment unsealed Thursday.

The allegations, which Adams vigorously denied, further plunged his administration into turmoil after months of revelations about multiple law enforcement investigations into the mayor, several of his top officials and his 2021 political campaign. Several administration officials – including the police commissioner, the schools chancellor, the health commissioner and Adams' top legal adviser – have resigned or announced plans to do so in recent weeks, as the mayor and his inner circle come under increasing scrutiny.

Here's what you need to know about the charges and the ongoing fallout.

What is the mayor accused of?

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York accuse Adams of violating campaign finance laws by giving preferential treatment to foreign nationals in exchange for illegal benefits.

They say he sought and accepted illegal “straw donations” from foreign nationals, including Turkish citizens, with the true identities of actual donors obscured by U.S.-based pass-through donors to circumvent restrictions on campaign contributions.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, this allowed Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign to increase the amount of public matching funds from the city's Campaign Finance Board. Ultimately, the campaign received more than $10 million in matching funds, although not all of the funds came from the alleged misconduct.

What is in the indictment?

Prosecutors say Adams solicited and received other improper benefits from the same co-conspirators involved in the straw donor scheme that he did not disclose.

A senior Turkish diplomat arranged for Adams and his companions to receive free or discounted flights on Turkish Airlines – in which the Turkish government owns a significant stake – to France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary and Turkey, it said the indictment. This official and other Turkish nationals allegedly harassed Adams and his companions with free luxury hotel rooms, first-class meals and entertainment.

Prosecutors say that when Adams was Brooklyn Borough President and running for mayor in 2021, he “intervened with the FDNY to allow the Turkish consulate (in New York) to occupy a skyscraper that had not passed a fire safety inspection.” in exchange for luxury travel by the Turkish official and a Turkish Airlines manager. In September of that year, the indictment says, the official told Adams it was his turn to reciprocate by facilitating the opening of the 36-story skyscraper in time for a high-profile visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Adams “did as directed.”

“Due to pressure from Adams on the FDNY, the FDNY official responsible for the FDNY's fire safety assessment of the skyscraper was told that he would lose his job if he did not relent, and after Adams intervened, “The skyscraper was opened as requested,” prosecutors claim. According to the indictment, September 2021 was the same month that Adams allegedly accepted some straw donations from a Turkish citizen.

Although Adams was required to disclose these benefits as a city government employee, he never did so, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. And in some cases, he allegedly attempted to create a fake paper trail of receipts and invoices, or ordered others to do so, to ward off the appearance of impropriety.

The indictment includes allegations that Adams deleted messages with other people who were involved in his alleged misconduct. The document describes a 2019 incident in which Adams wrote to one of his employees — an unknown co-conspirator — that he “always” deleted her messages.

Prosecutors say Adams continued to solicit and accept straw donations in 2023 and 2024 for his 2025 re-election campaign, which also participates in the city's matching funds program. A Turkish entrepreneur identified in the document as a “promoter” is accused of facilitating many of the alleged illegal benefits Adams received, “including a free two-night stay in the Cosmopolitan Suite at the St. Regis Istanbul.” “.

How did the mayor react to the allegations?

In a defiant video message released late Wednesday night, Adams denied wrongdoing and vowed to fight the charges “with all force” after media reported that a sealed indictment had been released. He said the expected allegations were “completely false and based on lies.”

At a hastily organized news conference outside his official residence at Gracie Mansion on Thursday morning, the mayor insisted that he was abiding by campaign rules and the law and was still able to lead the city despite the allegations. Earlier that morning, federal agents searched the mansion and confiscated Adams' phone.

What happens now?

Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said at his own news conference Thursday morning that prosecutors would “further investigate” Adams' alleged misconduct.

Adams has yet to be arraigned in court on these charges. That could happen as early as Friday or Monday: His attorney, Alex Spiro, has asked a federal judge to schedule an arraignment for Sept. 27 or Sept. 30, saying the U.S. Attorney's Office “does not object to our request.”

If Adams resigns, Attorney General Jumaane Williams would succeed him as acting mayor and temporarily lead the city ahead of a special election. If Adams remains in office, he will have to contend with a growing perception that he can no longer carry out his duties effectively in the face of at least three other federal investigations into his administration.

What do other managers say?

Even before Adams was indicted, several progressive elected officials called for his resignation amid federal investigations into his campaign finances and City Hall. Arguing that he couldn't realistically manage the city amid the burgeoning investigation, they received their biggest boost this week when progressive standard-bearer Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Adams must resign for the good of the city.

After news of the indictment broke Wednesday evening, moderates such as City Councilman Bob Holden and State Senator John Liu called on Adams to resign for similar reasons.

Others, including close political allies of the mayor like Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, a state Assembly member and chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, say Adams should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. They point out that he dedicated his life to serving New York City, including as an NYPD officer, state senator and Brooklyn Borough President.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Kathy Hochul, who like Adams is a moderate Democrat, said she was monitoring developments surrounding the indictment. As governor, she has the power to remove Adams from office if he is charged with a crime. She was expected to make further comments on the news later on Thursday.

Some business leaders in the city say Adams should be given the opportunity to fully respond to the allegations against him as part of the legal process.

What about the other investigations?

It remains to be seen whether the other federal investigations into Adams' administration will result in charges. They are reportedly former police commissioner Edward Caban and Caban's two brothers, outgoing schools chancellor David Banks and Banks' two brothers, as well as his aide Winnie Greco.