Cameron Henderson
27 September 2024 7:26pm
Eric Adams, the New York mayor, has claimed the corruption case against him is based on the allegations of one lying staffer.
Mr Adams pleaded not guilty in a New York courtroom on Friday, after being charged with counts of wire fraud, bribery and conspiracy, as well as two counts of receiving campaign contributions from a foreign national.
If convicted of all charges, he could face up to 45 years in prison, it is understood.
Alex Spiro, Mr Adams’ lawyer, gave a statement outside the courtroom in which he dubbed the indictment the “airline upgrade corruption case”, in an attempt to minimise the charges against the mayor.
“There are no emails, text messages or any corroboration whatsoever that the mayor knew about anything having to do with these campaign donations,” he said. “The entire body of evidence is one staffer. One staffer that says there was a conversation.
“What you have not learned is that that staffer has lied.”
The mayor is accused of exploiting a years-long relationship with people tied to the Turkish government, who allegedly funnelled money into his mayoral campaign and supplied him with cut-price flights and hotel stays in exchange for influence.
After listening to Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker describe the charges against him, Mr Adams said: “I am not guilty, your honour.”
The mayor, 64, was released “on his own signature” on the condition that he does not contact any witnesses or individuals in the indictment. He is due back in court on Wednesday for a conference before the judge, when the mayor’s lawyer has said he will file a motion to dismiss.
The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, accused Mr Adams of taking a variety of improper.gif”>ts from Turkish officials and businessmen, including free hotel stays and luxury flights to destinations including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, Ghana and Turkey.
In return, prosecutors said, Mr Adams did them favours, including pressuring fire department officials to sign-off on a high-rise building for the Turkish embassy despite safety concerns.
Mr Spiro has said it was neither unusual nor improper for a government official to accept travel perks. The mayor has denied ever knowingly accepting an illegal campaign contribution and said any help he gave people navigating city bureaucracy was just part of doing his job.
‘I will fight this with every ounce’
In public remarks on Thursday, Mr Adams asked New Yorkers to avoid making any judgments until they heard his defence.
“I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became,” he said in a statement to The New York Times.
“If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
In a speech recorded at his official residence, Mr Adams acknowledged that some New Yorkers would question his ability to manage the city while he fights the charges, but he vowed to stay in office.
“I have been facing these lies for months … yet the city has continued to improve,” Mr Adams said. “Make no mistake. You elected me to lead this city and lead it I will.”
Mr Spiro told reporters that the travel perks and seat upgrades Mr Adams accepted were commonly offered to VIPs and members of Congress.
“That’s what airlines do,” he said, noting that many of the charges related to trips Mr Adams took years ago when he was Brooklyn borough president.
The mayor has so far weathered calls to resign from his critics, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York Democratic representative.
She wrote on X:
I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City.The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.For the good of the city, he should resign.…
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 25, 2024
However, a number of senior Democrats have so far refrained from passing judgement, including Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, and Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader.
Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who has the power to remove Mr Adams from office, appeared to issue a warning to a mayor she has often sought to portray as a close ally.
“While I review my options and obligations as the governor of New York, I expect the mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well served by their leaders,” Hochul said. “We must give New Yorkers confidence that there is steady, responsible leadership at every level of government.”
It is unclear whether Mr Adams’ indictment is the final word on federal investigations involving the administration.
Mr Adams continued to organise meetings in his capacity as mayor on Friday with senior city officials despite the charges he is facing.
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