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Investigations into the Eric Adams administration

(Redirected from Criminal investigations into the Eric Adams administration)

There have been several investigations into the Eric Adams administration since he became Mayor of New York City in 2022.

Eric Adams giving a thumbs up to reporters out of frame, and surrounded by officials.
Eric Adams after he was arraigned and pled not guilty

Chief among these investigations is the ongoing federal prosecution of Eric Adams overseen by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York that resulted in the criminal indictment of Adams. This indictment charges Adams with one count of conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals and commit wire fraud and bribery; one count of wire fraud; two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals; and one count of soliciting and accepting a bribe.[1][2]

Law enforcement interest in a wide swath of Adams's City Hall led to a number of unscheduled departures from the administration before Adams's indictment.[3] The New York City Department of Investigation and New York County District Attorney arrested Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich in 2022 for an alleged bribery scheme, forcing him to leave the administration. He awaits trial in New York Supreme Court.[4] A set of raids by IRS Criminal Investigation led to the resignation of Police Commissioner Edward Caban.[5] Warrant seizures of phones by the Federal Bureau of Investigation preceded the resignation of Schools Chancellor David C. Banks.[6]

In response Adam has said that the charges are "entirely false, based on lies", and has vowed to fight the charges.[7] Adams and his defenders maintain the charges are retaliation for opposing the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the migrant crisis.[8]

Investigations

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FBI investigation into 2021 mayoral campaign

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Background

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See also: 2021 New York City mayoral election

Adams's fundraising efforts have attracted scrutiny. In 2018, real estate developer David Schwartz met with Adams, then-borough president of Brooklyn, and donated to his campaign. Adams endorsed zoning changes sought by Slate Property Group, Schwartz's company, to construct a skyscraper taller than what was allowed by zoning laws.[9] In May 2021, employees of the Brooklyn construction firm KSK Construction donated a total of US$14,000 to Adams's mayoral campaign, allowing the campaign to qualify for US$18,000 in public matching funds. According to Politico, of the firm's 11 employees, 10 had not made a prior political donation; co-owner Erden Arkan last donated to former Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz's campaign in 2009.[10]

Adams has boasted of his support for Turkey, stating that no other mayor in New York City history had visited the country as often as he had.[11] In August 2015, the consulate-general of Turkey paid for Adams's trip to the country. After securing the Democratic mayoral primary nomination in July, Adams urged then-fire commissioner Daniel A. Nigro to allow the government of Turkey to occupy the Turkish House; the New York City Fire Department declined to sign off on the building, citing fire safety issues.[12] During his borough presidency, Adams met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[13]

Investigation

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Mayor Eric Adams speaks at a flag raising ceremony in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey on October 27, 2023.

In spring 2023,[12] the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York[14] began a corruption investigation into alleged straw donors from the government of Turkey through construction company KSK Construction to the Adams's 2021 campaign.

On November 2, 2023, investigators raided the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, Adams's chief fundraiser. The search warrant, obtained by The New York Times, states agents seized three iPhones, two laptops, contribution card binders, and other documents.[11] The Federal Bureau of Investigation searched a dozen locations that day,[15] including the residence of former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Öcal and international affairs aide Rana Abbasova.[16] On November 3, investigators questioned Nigro over the Turkish House.[12] Days after the raid at Suggs's home, the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized at least two of Adams's cellphones and an iPad. Adams's campaign cooperated with the FBI's request.[17] The New York Times initially reported the seizures.[14]

On April 5, the Times reported that the FBI is investigating flight upgrades Adams purportedly received on Turkish Airlines flights.[18] In July, investigators served grand jury subpoenas.[19]

In addition to the resignation and seizing of the phone of police commissioner Caban, Adams's legal counsel Lisa Zornberg resigned as did deputy commissioner Kristen Kaufman.[20] Director of Asylum Seeker Operations Molly Schaeffer was also visited by law enforcement to serve a federal subpoena.[21][22][23]

Reactions

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Adams canceled several meetings at the White House to discuss the New York City migrant housing crisis following the raid. At a Day of the Dead celebration at Gracie Mansion that night, Adams stated that his campaign was up to the "highest ethical standards".[11] Adams denied the accusations at a press conference at New York City Hall press conference the following week, disclosing that he had retained the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.[24]

Following a report from The New York Times that Adams was being investigated over the construction of the Turkish House, Adams further denied wrongdoing[25] and assured that he would continue to cooperate with investigators.[26] Adams and the City Hall's chief counsel requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation cease leaks of its investigation.[27]

Brooklyn Democratic Party chairwoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn questioned if the inquiry was related to Adams's race.[28] State senator Leroy Comrie called the investigation a witch hunt.[29] Both Bichotte Hermelyn and Comrie have raised funds for Adams's legal defense fund.[30]

Representative Brandon Williams accused the investigation of being a "weaponization of the justice system" against Adams's critical comments towards president Joe Biden. New York City Council minority leader Joe Borelli defended Adams on Twitter.[29] The New York Post's editorial board questioned if the investigation could be political retribution. Politico compared the rhetoric among Adams's supporters with Donald Trump's supporters.[29]

NYPD, Caban brothers possible investigation

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Edward Caban resigned his role as NYPD Commissioner after having his phone seized by federal agents.

In early September 2024, federal agents, at the direction of the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, seized the phone of New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban. The probe focuses on nightclub protection services owned by Caban's twin brother, James Caban, who was fired from the NYPD in 2001 and also had his phone seized.[31] Edward Caban resigned on September 12, at the request of the Adams administration.[32] According to Caban's lawyers, he has been told he is not a subject of investigation.[5]

Banks brothers bribery and corruption investigation

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The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York is investigating a possible bribery scheme focusing on the consulting firm of Terence Banks, the brother of Philip Banks III, deputy mayor of New York City for public safety, and David C. Banks, the schools chancellor. Philip and David oversee agencies that have received contracts with Terence's company, The Pearl Alliance. All three brothers have had their phones seized.[6][31]

In September 2024, search warrants were served to employees of SaferWatch– a client company of The Pearl Alliance– in relation to the possible corruption investigation.[33] The New York City Police Department paid SaferWatch more than $67,000 since August 2023 for "school safety" services.[34]

Winnie Greco investigation

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On February 29, 2024, The New York Times reported that the FBI searched two houses owned by Winnie Greco, Adams's Asian affairs advisor.[35][36] Greco was also a prominent fundraiser for Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign. The investigation is being conducted by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.[31]

Other phone seizures

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Timothy Pearson, a retired police inspector and a senior advisor to Adams, had his phone seized by federal agents. It's unclear what investigation Pearson's phone seizure relates to.[6]

The phone of Sheena Wright, the deputy mayor and fiancé of David Banks, was also seized.[6]

Indictment

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Main article: Federal prosecution of Eric Adams
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York holds a press conference detailing the charges against Eric Adams on September 26, 2024. Speaking are U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Federal Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy, and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber.

On September 25, 2024, the New York Times reported Adams had been indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges.[37] The following morning, FBI agents entered his official residence at Gracie Mansion and seized his phone.[38] On September 26, the case against Adams was assigned, unsealing the indictment and revealing that the charges against him, which are as follows:

  • 1 count of "conspiracy to commit wire fraud, solicit foreign contributions and accept bribes"
  • 1 count of wire fraud
  • 2 counts of "solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national"
  • 1 count of bribery[39]

Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, claimed that Adams took over $100,000 in bribes from Turkey in exchange for using his powers to help open the Turkevi Center. These bribes mostly took the form of free and discounted luxury travel benefits. These benefits included free hotel rooms, free meals at high-end restaurants, free entertainment while in Turkey, free and heavily discounted flights, and similarly free and discounted flight class upgrades.[40] In exchange for these perks, Adams pressured the New York Fire Department to approve the opening of a new Turkish consular building without a fire inspection. The indictment document claims that the building would have failed the fire inspection, and that the FDNY official responsible for the building assessment was told he would lose his job if he did not allow the building to open.[41]

If Adams resigns, the acting mayor would be Jumaane Williams, the NYC public advocate.[42] Williams would be required to hold an election within 80 days.[43] New York Governor Kathy Hochul is the only New York official who could force Adams to resign.[43] On September 26, Hochul called the indictment "the latest in a disturbing pattern of events" but stopped well short of demanding a resignation, saying that "it's now up to Mayor Adams to show the City that he is able to lead."[44]

Adams has stated that he does not plan to resign.[45]

Responses to the indictment

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There have been several responses to the investigation and indictment of Eric Adams, dividing on the questions of whether the charges are fair and whether Adams should remain in office while awaiting trial.

Statements of support for Adams

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Months ahead of the indictment, Adams named a number of his allies as fundraisers for of his legal defense fund.[30] These allies have given Adams quotes in support after the indictment as well:

Politico compared the rhetoric among Adams's supporters with Donald Trump's supporters and noted the support of Republicans for Adams:

  • Representative Brandon Williams accused the investigation of being a "weaponization of the justice system" against Adams's critical comments towards President Joe Biden.
  • New York City Council minority leader Joe Borelli defended Adams on Twitter.
  • The New York Post's editorial board questioned if the investigation could be political retribution.[29]

Israeli journalist Liel Leibovitz insisted that Jews should stand with Mayor Eric L. Adams, "a hero to Jews and New Yorkers" for his "zero-tolerance approach to the Hamasniks in our streets."[50]

Calls for Adams' resignation

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The New York Times editorial board ran the opinion article "Eric Adams Should Resign."[51] The Staten Island Advance editorial of September 27 pressed for Adams's resignation, saying "We can’t see Eric Adams focusing much on city business over the months he’ll be dealing with the charges if he remains in office."[52]

A number of elected officials, political groups, and other notable individuals have called for Adams to resign, especially following his indictment, including:

United States Congress

New York State Senators

New York State Assembly Members

City-wide Office

Borough Presidents

New York City Council Members

Other notable figures and organizations

*Declared candidacy in the upcoming 2025 New York City mayoral election.

City officials' resignations

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A number of city officials from Adams' own administration have resigned ahead of his indictment, including:

  • Edward A. Caban, former NYPD Commissioner[3]
  • Lisa Zornberg, former counsel and chief legal advisor to the Mayor[3]
  • Kristen Kaufman, Deputy Commissioner of Public Private Partnerships & Economic Development in the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs (leaving position at the end of September 2024)[55]
  • David C. Banks, NYC Schools Chancellor (leaving position in December 2024)[3]
  • Ashwin Vasan, NYC Health Commissioner (leaving position in early January 2025)[3]

See also

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  • John Liu, a New York City mayoral candidate accused of using straw donors in 2013.

References

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  1. ^ "Southern District of New York | New York City Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Bribery And Campaign Finance Offenses | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. United States Department of Justice. 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  2. ^ Rashbaum, William; Rubinstein, Dana; Rothfeld, Michael; Haag, Matthew (September 25, 2024). "Eric Adams Is Indicted in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e Fadulu, Lola (September 26, 2024). "These Are the N.Y.C. Officials Who Resigned Ahead of the Adams Indictment". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  4. ^ Offenhartz, Jake (2023-09-13). "Former NYC buildings commissioner accused of trading favors for cash, Mets tickets and more". AP News. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  5. ^ a b Ngo, Emily (September 12, 2024). "Top cop bounces, political left pounces". Politico. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  6. ^ a b c d Rubinstein, Dana; Rashbaum, William K.; Harris, Amy Julia; Pallaro, Bianca; Rothfeld, Michael (September 10, 2024). "Firm Run by Brother of Top N.Y.C. Officials Is Focus of Bribery Inquiry". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  7. ^ Cohen, Luc (September 26, 2024). "New York Mayor Adams faces criminal indictment, vows to fight charges". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  8. ^ Lemire, Jonathan; Stokols, Eli (September 26, 2024). "Joe Biden cut ties with Eric Adams two years ago". Politico. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  9. ^ Rothfeld, Michael (May 16, 2021). "How Eric Adams, Mayoral Candidate, Mixed Money and Political Ambition". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Chadha, Janaki (November 7, 2023). "A construction firm rarely made campaign contributions. Then Adams ran". Politico. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Rashbaum, William; Rubinstein, Dana; Mays, Jeffrey (November 2, 2023). "U.S. Investigating Whether Adams Received Illegal Donations From Turkey". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Rashbaum, William; Rubinstein, Dana; Rothfeld, Michael (November 12, 2023). "F.B.I. Examining Whether Adams Cleared Red Tape for Turkish Government". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  13. ^ Fitzsimmons, Emma (November 14, 2023). "Eric Adams's Turkey Ties: Travel, Donations and a Meeting With Erdogan". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Scannell, Kara; Pazmino, Gloria (10 November 2023). "FBI seizes New York City Mayor Eric Adams' phones as part of federal investigation into fundraising". CNN. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  15. ^ Miller, John (November 14, 2023). "Investigation into NYC Mayor Adams focused on campaign money and possible foreign influence". CNN. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  16. ^ Rashbaum, William; Rothfeld, Michael; Rubinstein, Dana; Hong, Nicole (November 16, 2023). "F.B.I. Raided Homes of Second Adams Aide and Ex-Turkish Airline Official". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  17. ^ Rashbaum, William; Rubinstein, Dana; Rothfeld, Michael (November 10, 2023). "F.B.I. Seizes Eric Adams's Phones as Campaign Investigation Intensifies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  18. ^ Rashbaum, William K.; Rothfeld, Michael; Rubinstein, Dana (April 5, 2024). "F.B.I. Examining Free Airfare Upgrades Received by Adams". The New York Times. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  19. ^ Rashbaum, William; Rubinstein, Dana (August 15, 2024). "Eric Adams and His Campaign Receive Subpoenas in Federal Investigation". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  20. ^ "The unraveling of Eric Adams' administration". NPR. September 19, 2024.
  21. ^ Stark-Miller, Ethan (2024-09-20). "Top Adams aide overseeing migrant crisis response hit with federal subpoena: reports | amNewYork". www.amny.com. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  22. ^ Kim, Elizabeth; Sep 20, Bahar OstadanPublished; Sep 20, 2024Modified; ETShare, 2024 at 5:59 p m (2024-09-20). "Another Mayor Adams aide comes under federal scrutiny as officials visit her home and family". Gothamist. Retrieved 2024-09-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ "Federal authorities subpoena NYC mayor's director of asylum seeker operations". AP News. 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  24. ^ Dana, Rubinstein; Rashbaum, William (November 8, 2023). "Mayor Adams Denies Wrongdoing and Retains Lawyer After Federal Raid". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  25. ^ Sforza, Lauren (November 13, 2023). "Eric Adams on latest NYT report: 'I have not been accused of wrongdoing'". The Hill. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  26. ^ Morales, Mark; Pazmino, Gloria; Beech, Samantha (12 November 2023). "New York Mayor Eric Adams says he'll continue to work with investigators as NYT reports new details on FBI probe". CNN. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  27. ^ Rozner, Lisa (November 13, 2023). "Mayor Eric Adams, City Hall ask FBI to cease leaks of campaign financing probe". CBS News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  28. ^ Fitzsimmons, Emma; Mays, Jeffrey (November 3, 2023). "F.B.I. Raid of Adams Ally Brings Corruption Question to Mayor's Doorstep". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  29. ^ a b c d Coltin, Jeff; Anuta, Joe (November 15, 2023). "Republicans think Adams, like Trump, is getting a raw deal with the feds". Politico. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  30. ^ a b Hicks, Nolan; McCarthy, Craig (2023-12-14). "Eric Adams names boosters for legal defense fund following federal raid". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  31. ^ a b c LaForgia, Michael (September 12, 2024). "Here Are the Investigations Surrounding the Administration of Eric Adams". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  32. ^ Jacobs, Shayna (2024-09-12). "NYPD commissioner resigns amid federal corruption probe". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  33. ^ Simko-Bednarski, Evan; Sommerfeldt, Chris; Bamberger, Cayla (13 September 2024). "Federal investigators search private firm that hired Terence Banks as part of NYC corruption probe". New York Daily News. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  34. ^ Simko-Bednarski, Evan (2024-09-08). "Terence Banks, brother of top NYC officials who is ensnared in federal probe, has clients with city contracts". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  35. ^ Rashbaum, William; Fitzsimmons, Emma (February 29, 2024). "F.B.I. Searches Houses Owned by Adams's Asian Affairs Adviser". The New York Times. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  36. ^ Anuta, Joe; Coltin, Jeff (March 4, 2024). "Meet the New York City Hall community liaison whose house was raided by the FBI". Politico. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  37. ^ Rashbaum, William K.; Rubinstein, Dana; Rothfeld, Michael; Wong, Edward. "Eric Adams Is Indicted After Federal Corruption Investigation". New York Times.
  38. ^ Offenhartz, Jake (2024-09-26). "FBI seizes NYC mayor's phone ahead of expected unsealing of indictment". Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  39. ^ Meko, Hurubie; Shao, Elena (September 26, 2024). "Tracking Charges and Investigations in Eric Adams's Orbit". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  40. ^ "Eric Adams Live Updates: Mayor Is Defiant as He Is Charged With Bribery and Fraud". The New York Times. September 26, 2024.
  41. ^ Rothfeld, Michael; Hong, Nicole; Pallaro, Bianca (2024-09-26). "Here Are the Charges Eric Adams Faces, Annotated". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  42. ^ Fitzsimmons, Emma; Mays, Jeffrey (September 26, 2024). "As Adams faces calls to resign, Jumaane Williams may play a pivotal role". The New York Times. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  43. ^ a b Helmore, Edward (2024-09-26). "New York mayor Eric Adams faces calls to resign after indictment and dawn raid". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  44. ^ "Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul | Governor Kathy Hochul". www.governor.ny.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  45. ^ a b c "Eric Adams Live Updates: Federal Agents Search Mayor's Residence After Indictment". The New York Times. September 26, 2024.
  46. ^ "David Paterson Explains Why Kathy Hochul Should Let Eric Adams Decide To Go". 710 WOR. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  47. ^ "NAACP's Hazel Dukes reacts to Mayor Eric Adams indictment". NBC New York. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  48. ^ "Brooklyn Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn discusses Adams' arraignment". ny1.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  49. ^ Shkurhan, Iryna (2024-09-27). "Assembly Member Rajkumar breaks silence on Mayor Adams' indictment, defends due process amid calls for resignation – QNS". qns.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  50. ^ Leibovitz, Liel (26 September 2024). "The Jews Should Stand With Eric Adams". Tablet.
  51. ^ The Editorial Board (26 September 2024). "Eric Adams Should Resign". New York Times.
  52. ^ Editorial, Staten Island Advance (2024-09-27). "For the good of the city, Mayor Adams must resign | Our Opinion". silive. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  53. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as Mendez, Rich; Donaldson, Sahalie; Pretsky, Holly; Sterne, Peter. "Eric Adams has been indicted. Who is calling on him to resign?". City & State.
  54. ^ Reporter, Kaitlin Lewis Night (2024-09-26). "Full list of Democrats calling for New York's Eric Adams to resign". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  55. ^ Russo, Melissa; Dienst, Jonathan (September 18, 2024). "Another Adams administration official resigns, third senior-level departure in a week". NBC New York.

Further reading

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