(NewsNation) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty Friday on charges alleging he accepted bribes and illegal foreign campaign contributions.
Friday’s arraignment was Adams’ first court appearance on wire fraud, bribery, two counts of receiving campaign contributions from a foreign national, and conspiracy charges. If convicted of wire fraud, them most serious charge against him, Adams could face up to 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors and Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, came to an agreement that would allow the mayor to be released “on his own signature,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Celia V. Cohen said. Under this agreement, Adams is not allowed to contact any witnesses or individuals in the indictment. There are accommodations for him to speak with members of his family and staff — but not about anything pertaining to the allegations.
Adams said Thursday he has no plans to resign. Next week, Spiro said, he plans on filing a motion to dismiss charges against his client.
“There are no emails, text messages or any corroboration whatsoever that the mayor knew about anything having to do with these campaign donations,” Spiro said.
However, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a Thursday news conference that Adams’ “long-running” corruption goes back nearly a decade.
“The conduct alleged in the indictment, the foreign money, the corporate money, the bribery, the years of concealment, is a grave breach of the public’s trust,” Williams said. “We continue to dig, and we will hold more people accountable.”
What is Eric Adams accused of?
The accusations against Adams are outlined in a 57-page grand jury indictment that a judge unsealed Thursday. The indictment comes on the heels of a widespread ongoing investigation into the mayor’s administration and the resignation of several top city officials.
Adams — who oversees public operations in the nation’s largest city — is accused of accepting bribes from foreign nationals and taking illegal campaign contributions in exchange for favors.
Authorities said this included helping Turkish officials secure fire-safety approvals for a 36-story Turkish consulate building even though it didn’t pass inspection. The allegations of long-running corruption date back nearly a decade, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a Thursday news conference announcing the indictment.
They include alleged straw donor contributions and abuse of a city program that promised to provide up to $8 in matching funds for each $1 of up to $250 in donations from New York City residents. That amounts to nearly $13,000 in matching funds during the 2021 election cycle, according to charging documents.
What’s next for Eric Adams, New Yorkers?
Adams addressed the charges at a news conference Thursday when he told New Yorkers to “wait to hear our defense before making any judgments.”
Several top city officials have announced their resignation from the Adams administration in recent weeks. It’s unclear if or how those resignations may be connected to the mayor’s criminal case.
“The conduct alleged in the indictment, the foreign money, the corporate money, the bribery, the years of concealment, is a grave breach of the public’s trust,” Williams said Thursday. “We continue to dig, and we will hold more people accountable.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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