NYC Mayor Adams said he won’t step down after being charged with five criminal counts in a federal corruption investigation.
At a raucous press conference outside Gracie Mansion Thursday, hecklers yelled over Adams as he denied the charges and dismissed the indictment as a “story,” asking New Yorkers to “wait and hear our side of the narrative.”
“It’s an unfortunate day and it’s a painful day,” Adams said, flanked by many of the city’s Black faith leaders. “But inside of all of that, it’s a day that will finally reveal why for 10 months I will have gone through this. And I look forward to defending myself.”
Adams is the first sitting New York City mayor to be indicted. If he were to resign, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would take over as mayor.
While Adams has remained steadfast that he won’t quit, Gov. Hochul could force him out according to the city charter.
“Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation. It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement,” Hochul spokesperson Avi Small said in a statement.
The indictment, unsealed Thursday morning, alleges that Adams engaged in a years-long scheme to solicit and accept illegal straw donations to his campaign in exchange for luxury travel perks. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and receiving campaign contributions by foreign nationals; and solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national.
Turkish foreign nationals sought to cash in on Adams’ rising political star, according to prosecutors. In 2021, when it became apparent that Adams, a former NYPD captain who later served as Brooklyn borough president would be the next mayor, they called in their chips on the relationship — telling Adams it was his turn to “repay” them, according to the indictment.
Adams denied the charges, stating that he “follow[s] the law.”
“This is not surprising to us at all,” he said outside the mayor’s official residence on the Upper East Side. “The actions that have unfolded over the past 10 months — the leaks, the commentary, the demonization — this did not surprise us that we reached this day.”
Hecklers yelled as Adams made his remarks, calling him “disgrace to this city” and “an embarrassment to black people.”
Calls for the mayor to resign have intensified since Wednesday night, when news of the indictment broke.
With Anusha Bayya
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