NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged with bribery and fraud | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

New York Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and taking illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals. He is the first mayor of New York to face a criminal indictment while in office.

Federal agents charged Adams with five criminal counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They say he helped Turkish officials bypass a fire inspection for a new diplomatic building in exchange for gifts. Agents conducted a search of the mayor’s residence in Manhattan.

US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said at news conference that Adams engaged in “a long-running conspiracy” and took contributions from donors “even though he knew they were illegal.”

Some fellow Democrats are urging Adams to resign “for the good of the city.” However, he has denied any wrongdoing and has refused to step down.

After the indictment was unsealed on Thursday, Adams held a news conference. He said: “My day-to-day will not change. I will continue to do the job for 8.3 million New Yorkers that I was elected to do.”

People in New York have seen a string of the mayor’s aides either face investigations or resign their posts.

Speaking of the indictment, one woman said: “I thought it could happen any minute because I just don’t think any of this is right. And what’s going on in the city is just crazy.”

A man said: “He’s a politician in the city. Nothing is surprising, but it’s surprising that he actually got indicted.”

Adams spent 22 years in the New York Police Department, rising to the rank of captain before entering politics. He is planning to run for reelection next year.