September 27, New York (Reuters) – In response to growing calls for his resignation from within his own party, New York City Mayor Eric Adams entered a not guilty plea on Friday to federal accusations of receiving bribes and illicit campaign contributions from Turkish nationals.
The 64-year-old Adams submitted the plea at his initial court appearance in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker. Dressed in a dark blue suit with a purple tie with dots, he looked straight ahead as Parker listed the five felonies, which included wire fraud and bribery, that he is accused of.
Adams said, “I am not guilty, your honor,” to Parker’s plea request.
Alex Spiro, his attorney, promised to submit a move to drop the charges the following week. The next court date for Adams is October 2.
Without having to post bond, the mayor was freed as long as he didn’t speak to any of the indicted individuals or witnesses. Staff and family members would be exempt, according to Parker, provided he doesn’t share the specifics of the indictment with them.
Federal prosecutors claim in the indictment that was unveiled on Thursday that Turkish businessmen and officials unlawfully provided funding to Adams’ campaign in exchange for lavish travel benefits like first-class tickets, five-star hotels, and dinners at upscale dining establishments.
Prosecutors claim that in exchange, Adams put pressure on city officials in 2021 to approve the opening of Turkey’s new 36-story consulate despite security concerns.
- “This isn’t even a real case. This is the airline upgrade corruption case,” Spiro said.
- CHANGE IN POLITICS
Out of the 110 mayors of the city, Adams, a former police officer who attained the rank of captain, is the only to face a federal criminal accusation while in office.
Over the past month, the biggest American city has seen political turmoil due to federal investigations involving high-ranking politicians.
The FBI confiscated the police commissioner’s phone, leading to his resignation on September 12. A few days later, Adams’ principal legal counsel resigned.
On Friday, Manhattan-based U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler—the leading Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee—joined an increasing number of well-known legislators and local officials in demanding that Adams step down.
However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, two influential Democratic senators from Brooklyn, did not go far enough.
Democratic Governor Gover of New York might remove Adams from office.
neither Kathy Hochul, neither the principal Kathy Hochul, but Bennett Gershman, a professor at Pace University Law School, indicated that the procedure is difficult.
On Thursday, Hochul declared that she will “review my options and obligations as the governor of New York.”Bennett Gershman, a professor at Pace University Law School, remarked that the legal system is complex.
On Thursday, Hochul declared that she will “review my options and obligations as the governor of New York.”
- “ISTANBUL IS ALWAYS THE FIRST STOP”
Prosecutors noted that the alleged plot began in 2014, the year Adams was elected president of the Brooklyn Borough Council.
In the indictment, it is stated that while acting as the president of the Brooklyn Borough President, Adams got free travel from Turkish Airlines valued at tens of thousands of dollars. He also paid $600 for a two-night stay in a luxurious suite at the St. Regis hotel in Istanbul, which was far less than the $7, 000 actual cost.
Adams would take Turkish Airlines flights even if they were inconvenient, according to the prosecution. According to the indictment, he texted his partner in 2017 and responded, “You know first stop is always Istanbul,” when she expressed astonishment that they were traveling from New York to Paris via Istanbul.
A request for information was not immediately answered by Turkish Airlines.
Adams, responding to a request from a Turkish ambassador, exerted pressure on municipal safety inspectors to permit the country’s new consulate to open in time for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s visit in September 2021, despite the fact that the establishment would not have passed a fire inspection, according to the indictment.
According to the prosecution, Adams informed the diplomat when the Fire Department gave the building permission to operate later that day.
“You are Turkey’s true friend,” the ambassador is said to have said.
