Update: Adams has been accused of bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations in federal charges unsealed Thursday morning (h/t @yashar)
Adams has denied any wrongdoing, and said in a Wednesday night video that any charges against him would be "entirely false" and "based on lies."
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal criminal charges, marking a historic first for the city as he becomes the first sitting mayor to face such charges. The specifics of the charges remain shrouded in secrecy due to a sealed indictment, the NY Times reports.
Adams, a retired NYC police captain, became the city's 110th mayor nearly three years ago after campaigning on a promise to reduce crime and revitalize the city. While that never panned out, he notably talked massive shit about the Biden administration not doing anything about the growing migrant problem over the last year.
Last November, the feds seized Adams' electronic devices just days after he searched the Brooklyn home of his chief fundraiser. His aides claim he's been cooperating with authorities, while Adams himself maintains that he did nothing wrong.
But the mayor staffed top positions with friends and loyalists, and his inner circle has been engulfed by numerous federal investigations that have increasingly targeted the highest ranks of city government. Earlier this month, federal agents seized phones from numerous top city officials, including a top aide to Mr. Adams, the schools chancellor and the police commissioner. The commissioner, Edward A. Caban, and the schools chancellor, David C. Banks, later resigned. -NYT
Meanwhile, several people in Adams' orbit have been the subjects of federal corruption investigations.
Hours before the indictment, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called on Adams to resign over the "flood of resignations and vacancies" that "are threatening gov function."
A pre-indictment Adams responded with the race card, saying "I'm really surprised to hear her call for the resignation of the second black mayor in the city," and calling her comments "noise."
Wonder if she was tipped off?