New York City Mayor Eric Adams pled not guilty to federal corruption charges on Friday in a packed Lower Manhattan courtroom. His attorney dismissed the indictment as “not a real case,” vowing to file a motion to dismiss.
Eric Adams Pleads Not Guilty : Charges Against Adams
Adams formally denied the charges, which include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, bribery, and two counts of soliciting donations from foreign nationals. The indictment, unsealed the day prior, alleges Adams solicited and accepted bribes from Turkish businesspeople, including luxury travel perks, in exchange for political favors. Prosecutors also claim Adams illegally took foreign donations for his mayoral campaigns, covering up the transactions with “straw donors,” falsified records, and deleted incriminating messages.
Courtroom Proceedings
U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker presided over the hearing, addressing the mayor as “Mayor Adams” and asking how he wished to plead. Adams responded, “I am not guilty, Your Honor.”
