Illegal donations, free travel… The 57-page Adams indictment is full of various types of corruption.
On September 26, federal prosecutors unveiled a 57-page indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, detailing allegations of various forms of corruption, including collusion with the Turkish government and the illegal acceptance of foreign campaign contributions. The indictment asserts that Adams has been engaged in corrupt practices since at least 2014, during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President, with the total estimated corruption exceeding $100,000.
During a press conference, Adams strongly defended his innocence and reiterated his dedication to serving the 8.3 million residents of New York City.
A recent analysis from The Wall Street Journal highlighted some significant points from the indictment:
**Questionable Donations**
Prosecutors claim that during his 2021 mayoral campaign, Adams accepted illegal contributions, with these inappropriate activities allegedly continuing into his administration. It is asserted that he funneled funds through domestic straw donors and manipulated New York’s matching-funds program, profiting $2,000 in public funds for each illegal campaign donation.
**Lavish Travel**
The investigation uncovered that Adams received extravagant travel benefits valued at over $100,000 from affluent foreigners and at least one Turkish government official. He and his associates reportedly traveled for free on Turkish Airlines to multiple destinations, including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, and Turkey, enjoying luxury accommodations and gourmet dining either at no cost or significantly reduced rates. Notably, in October 2016, Adams and a companion purchased a $2,286 economy-class ticket to India but were upgraded to business class, typically valued at $15,000.
**Connections to Turkey**
In 2015, Adams made two trips to Turkey, which he characterized as necessary business excursions. However, prosecutors allege that as his political influence grew, he began to accept illegal donations and gifts from Turkish officials and business figures, including luxurious travel arrangements that he did not disclose.
**Quid Pro Quo Allegations**
The indictment indicates that following the reception of gifts, Adams responded in various ways. For instance, in September 2022, he purportedly pressured the New York City Fire Department to overlook safety inspections for a new 36-story Turkish consulate building, which should not have passed inspection.
**Efforts to Conceal**
Furthermore, the indictment alleges that Adams and his aides attempted to obscure their illegal activities by fabricating documents falsely stating that he had covered his travel expenses. When investigators seized Adams’s phone in November 2023, he allegedly claimed he had forgotten the password, while an aide reportedly rushed to the restroom to delete contact records from the device.