NYC Mayor Adams Has Been Indicted      09/26 06:20

   New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a grand jury on federal 
criminal charges, according to two people familiar with the matter, an 
extraordinary culmination to weeks of searches, subpoenas and resignations of 
top officials that have thrust the city's government into crisis.

   NEW YORK (AP) -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a grand 
jury on federal criminal charges, according to two people familiar with the 
matter, an extraordinary culmination to weeks of searches, subpoenas and 
resignations of top officials that have thrust the city's government into 
crisis.

   The indictment detailing the charges against Adams, a Democrat, was expected 
to be unsealed Thursday, according to the people, who spoke with The Associated 
Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the 
matter publicly.

   The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment.

   In a speech recorded at his official residence, Adams said he would remain 
in office, describing any charges he may face as "entirely false, based on 
lies."

   "I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a 
target -- and a target I became," Adams said. "I will fight these injustices 
with every ounce of my strength and my spirit."

   It was not immediately clear what laws Adams is accused of breaking or when 
he might have to appear in court.

   Federal investigators had seized Adams' electronic devices nearly a year ago 
as part of an investigation focused, at least partly, on campaign contributions 
and Adams' interactions with the Turkish government. Because the charges were 
sealed, it was unknown whether they dealt with those same matters.

   The indictment was first reported by The New York Times.

   It marks a stunning turn for Adams, a former police captain who won election 
nearly three years ago to become the city's second Black mayor on a campaign 
that stressed his working class roots and commitment to public safety. But as 
Adams has made reducing crime a cornerstone of his administration, he has faced 
growing legal peril, with multiple federal investigations honing in on his top 
aides and his own campaign.

   In the last two weeks alone, the leaders he appointed to oversee the 
country's largest police force and largest schools system have announced their 
resignations.

   Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be indicted while in 
office. If he were to resign, he would be replaced by the city's public 
advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election.

   Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office. Hochul 
spokesperson, Avi Small, issued a statement late Wednesday that said "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."

   The indictment comes against the backdrop of the United Nations General 
Assembly, which has brought dozens of world leaders to New York, including 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

   The federal investigations into Adams administration first emerged publicly 
on Nov. 2, 2023, when FBI agents conducted an early morning raid on the 
Brooklyn home of his chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs.

   At the time, Adams insisted he followed the law and said he would be 
"shocked" if anyone on his campaign had acted illegally. Days later, FBI agents 
seized the mayor's phones and iPad as he was leaving an event in Manhattan.

   Then on Sept. 4, federal investigators seized electronic devices from the 
city's police commissioner, schools chancellor, deputy mayor of public safety, 
first deputy mayor and other trusted confidantes of Adams both in and out of 
City Hall.

   Federal prosecutors declined to discuss the investigations, but people 
familiar with elements of the cases described multiple, separate inquiries 
involving senior Adams aides, relatives of those aides, campaign fundraising 
and possible influence peddling of the police and fire departments.

   A week after the searches, the city's police commissioner, Edward Caban, 
announced his resignation. About two weeks later, Schools Chancellor David 
Banks announced he would retire at the end of the year.

   Adams himself insisted he would keep doing the city's business and allow the 
investigations to run their course.

   Over the summer, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Adams, his campaign arm and 
City Hall, requesting information about the mayor's schedule, his overseas 
travel and potential connections to the Turkish government.

   Adams spent 22 years in New York City's police department before going into 
politics, first as a state senator and then as Brooklyn borough president. He 
was elected as mayor in November 2021 -- a victory he has repeatedly said was 
ordained by God.

   But after more than two years in office, Adams' popularity has declined. 
While the city has seen an increase in jobs and a drop in certain categories of 
crime, the administration has struggled with an influx of tens of thousands of 
international migrants who overwhelmed the city's homeless shelters.

   There has also been a steady drip of accusations and a swirl of suspicion 
around people close to the mayor.

   In addition to the sprawling inquiries launched by Manhattan prosecutors, 
federal prosecutors in Brooklyn are investigating another one of Adams' close 
aides, Winnie Greco, who had raised thousands of dollars in campaign donations 
from the city's Chinese American communities and later became his director of 
Asian affairs. Greco hasn't commented publicly on the FBI searches of her 
properties and continues to work for the city.

   When agents seized electronic devices from Caban, the former police 
commissioner, in early September, they also visited his twin brother, James 
Caban, a former police officer who runs a nightlife consulting business.

   Agents also took devices from the schools chancellor; his brother Philip 
Banks, formerly a top NYPD chief who is now deputy mayor for public safety; 
their brother Terence Banks, who ran a consulting firm that promised to connect 
businesses to government stakeholders; and from First Deputy Mayor Sheena 
Wright, who is David Banks' domestic partner.

   All denied any wrongdoing.

   While those investigations churned, federal authorities also searched the 
homes of newly named interim police commissioner, Thomas Donlan, and seized 
materials unrelated to his police work. Donlon confirmed the search and said it 
involved materials that had been in his possession for 20 years.

   In his speech Wednesday night, Adams appeared to cite that search as proof 
of overreach by federal investigators.

   Hours before the charges were announced, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 
called on Adams to resign, the first nationally prominent Democrat to do so. 
Adams reacted with scorn, dismissing Ocasio-Cortez as self-righteous.

   Adams, who is expecting a tough primary election next year, faced additional 
calls to resign once the indictment became public Wednesday night, including 
from many of his declared or expected Democratic challengers in the mayoral 
race.

   Brad Lander, the city's comptroller, said the indictment marked "a sad day 
for New Yorkers." State Sen. Zellnor Myrie added that it was "especially 
painful for so many Black New Yorkers who put our hope and faith in this Mayor."

   Scott Stringer, a former city comptroller who is expected to run against 
Adams, said the indictment had left New York City "with a broken down 
trainwreck of a municipal government."

   Joe Borelli, the top Republican in the City Council, who is believed to be 
eyeing a run for mayor, said he would reserve judgment until viewing the 
charges.