NYC Mayor Adams enters plea of not guilty in federal corruption case

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was arraigned on federal corruption and bribery charges, where he pleaded not guilty and was allowed to leave without having to post bail. His lawyer criticized the prosecutors, calling the case “shaky” and built on the testimony of a lying staffer. The indictment accuses Adams of taking $100,000 worth of free plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from Turkish nationals and a government official in a corruption scheme that lasted nearly a decade. Despite facing pressure to resign, Adams has vowed to fight the charges and stay on as mayor. The alleged scheme involved underwriting Adams’ successful mayoral campaign in exchange for favors. The indictment details how Adams received free travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals, which he tried to conceal through fake paper trails and deleted messages. The case includes accusations that Adams pressured the New York Fire Department to allow a Turkish consulate building to open despite safety concerns. The indictment also involves a separate federal investigation that seized the phones of top officials close to Adams, including the police commissioner, leading to resignations and continued scrutiny. The Turkish Embassy has not publicly commented on the allegations. Despite calls for his resignation, Adams has received support from some prominent New York politicians, including Sen. Schumer and Gov. Hochul, who have not urged him to step down. The case against Adams marks the first indictment of a sitting New York City mayor on criminal charges in the modern era.

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