New York City Mayor Eric Adams appeared in court Wednesday, Oct. 2, for a hearing after being indicted on corruption charges. In court, prosecutors indicated it’s likely Adams could face additional charges — and that other defendants could also be charged.
Adams spoke after his hearing, expressing his trust in the legal system and asserting that evidence will show he did not break the law.
“And I think that as the case unfolds, some people are going to say, ‘You know what? We may have jumped the gun on Eric Adams,’” the mayor said during a news conference.
Last week, Mayor Adams pleaded “not guilty” to five federal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and receiving campaign contributions from foreign nationals.
According to the indictment, Adams is accused of accepting gifts from Turkish officials and businessmen. The gifts date back at least a decade to when Adams was Brooklyn’s borough president.
He allegedly accepted luxury international travel, illegal campaign contributions, entertainment, “as well as other things of value from foreign nationals.”
The indictment states: “As Adams’ prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash in on their corrupt relationships with him, particularly when, in 2021, it became clear that Adams would become New York City’s mayor.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten stated that there are other investigations involving potential defendants related to Adams’ case.
Adams’ attorneys are requesting the dismissal of the bribery charge. He is also the first sitting mayor of New York City to be indicted.
A trial date has not yet been set.
