NYC Mayor Eric Adams pleads not guilty to corruption charges

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Friday (Sep 27), pleaded not guilty to five corruption charges, alleging that he accepted luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals.

Adams, 64, has long touted his work fighting crime as an NYPD (New York Police Department) captain. However, on Thursday, he was indicted on five federal charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. 

“I am not guilty, your honor,” Adams said in the federal courtroom in Lower Manhattan.

On Friday morning, Adams arrived at the courthouse to surrender to authorities and have his fingerprints taken. 

According to the prosecutors, when Adams was serving as Brooklyn borough president, he accepted improper benefits including luxury travel from wealthy foreign businesspeople. 

The indictment comes three years after authorities opened an investigation against him in 2021, with primary charges stemming from allegations that he may have received funds from the Turkish government in exchange for official actions on Ankara’s behalf.

He was also accused of secretly accepting illegal contributions to his 2021 campaign.

Watch | New York Mayor Eric Adam Indicted Charged: What The Indictment Alleges

He has also been accused of committing 23 different “overt acts”, including accepting free flights and hotel rooms and coordinating straw donations.

Adam, represented by his lawyer, Alex Spiro, said he will file a motion to dismiss the charges at a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, adding that he will also ask for a speedy trial.

The New York mayor has been instructed not to contact witnesses or people named in the indictment. 

(With inputs from agencies)