New York City Mayor Eric Adams is expected to face federal charges Thursday by prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, two sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday night.
Charges were not immediately disclosed. Spokesmen for the FBI and the US attorney for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.
In a statement Tuesday, Adams said, “I always knew that if I stood up for New Yorkers, I would be a target and I would be a target. If they accuse me, I am innocent and I will fight it with all my strength and soul.”
The Adams administration had already dodged a number of measures high-level resignations among at least four federal investigations.
Adams has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
One of the investigations is believed to focus on whether Adams’ mayoral campaign colluded with the Turkish government to receive illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources. As part of that investigation, the FBI searched a house he owned in Brooklyn last year Adams’ chief fundraiser.
Federal investigators also looked into whether Adams pressured the city’s fire commissioner Approval of the new building where the Turkish Consulate is located despite security concerns.
Adams was still Brooklyn’s borough president when he contacted then-Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro shortly after winning the 2021 Democratic mayoral race, according to sources familiar with the matter. Adams encouraged Nigro to evaluate a request to use the building, which had not yet been opened because officials from the Turkish government’s fire department refused to sign off on the building’s safety.
Adams’ phones were seized as part of the investigation, and FBI agents questioned Nigro as a witness at least twice. This was reported by NBC News. (Nigro declined to comment.)
Federal investigators searched the homes this month and seized the phones of several high-ranking people close to Adams. Police commissioner Edward Kaban is among those whose phone was confiscated resigned September 12.
Authorities also seized the phone of James Caban, Caban’s twin brother, a former police officer who owns a nightclub security business. Federal investigators are looking into whether bars and clubs in Manhattan and downtown Queens paid James Caban to contact police, and whether those clubs received special treatment from local precincts.
The Adams administration also a public corruption investigation and another federal investigation that searched the homes involved Adams’ former director of Asian affairs.
Before news of the federal charges broke Wednesday, Adams was at a reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art attended by President Joe Biden. Adams also appeared on local television to take live questions from the New York audience.
Douglas Muzzio, a longtime Baruch College political science professor who retired last year, said the pending indictment puts city government in a difficult position.
“Who is it? What is the policy direction?” Muzzio said. “With so many people already resigning, city agencies are, in a sense, rudderless.”
Earlier Wednesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called on Adams to resign.
Ocasio-Cortez said at X: “I don’t see how Mary Adams can run New York City. Non-stop research will make it impossible to hire and retain a qualified manager. For the good of the city, he should resign.”
City Supervisor Brad Lander, who is running for mayor, also called on Adams to step down.
“Mayor Adams, like all New Yorkers, deserves due process, the presumption of innocence and his day in court.” Lander said at X. “However, it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will require the considerable time and attention required to govern this great city. The most appropriate way forward is for him to step down so that New York City can enjoy its full rights. Attention to leadership requirements Pay.”
This is a is developing the story. Please check for updates.
Phil Helsel contributed.