New York Mayor Eric Adams Reportedly Indicted: What We Know So Far

New York Mayor Eric L. Adams has been indicted following a federal corruption investigation, the New York Times first reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Other outlets, including the Associated Press, CNN, and CNBC, have also reported on the indictment citing their own sources.

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The charges remain unclear, as the indictment reportedly remained sealed as of Wednesday night. According to CNBC, the indictment accuses Adams, 64, of conduct linked to funding for his 2021 mayoral campaign, with one unidentified source saying the indictment cites up to $20 million in donations that his campaign received under the city’s campaign financing program.

The indictment follows an FBI investigation, first reported by the Times in 2023, which examined whether Adams and his 2021 election campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations.

Adams, in a statement sent to the media, said: “I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target—and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”

The mayor shared a video late Wednesday, saying that any crimes the federal government intends to charge him with “would be entirely false, based on lies. But they would not be surprising.” He added that “many may say I should resign because I cannot manage the city while fighting the case” but emphasized that he has no plans to step down.

The reported indictment comes less than a year ahead of the Democratic primary for next year’s mayoral race, in which Adams has said he intends to run for re-election. So far, the field of challengers already includes New York City comptroller Brad Lander, state senator from Brooklyn Zellnor Myrie, state senator from Queens Jessica Ramos, and former city comptroller Scott Stringer.

Lander issued a statement on X Wednesday night, saying that while Adams “deserves due process … the most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can get the full focus its leadership demands.” Myrie echoed the call for Adams to resign in a statement on X, saying “a mayor under the weight of a serious indictment” would no longer be able to be “fully focused” on the city’s issues.

Hours before the indictment was reported, congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) urged Adams to resign, posting on X that she does “not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City” given the “flood of resignations” and “nonstop investigations.”

Before Adams’ reported indictment, several high-ranking New York City officials resigned earlier this month, including City Hall’s top lawyer, the health commissioner, and the police commissioner. On Tuesday, the city’s school chancellor also announced his retirement by the end of the year, after federal agents in early September raided his home and seized his and other officials’ phones as part of ongoing investigations into Adams’ administration.

“I have been facing these lies for months,” Adams said in his video statement, “yet the city has continued to improve. Make no mistake: you elected me to lead this city—and lead it I will.”

Should Adams leave his post before his term ends in 2026, New York City public advocate Jumaane Williams would become acting mayor, and a special election would be scheduled.

This is a developing story.