Mayor Adams indicted on federal corruption charges
The mayor became the first sitting New York City mayor to be criminally charged, as prosecutors alleged a long-running bribery scheme.
Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on federal corruption charges this September, becoming the first sitting mayor in New York City's modern history to be criminally charged, in a case that threw City Hall into crisis and prompted widespread calls for his resignation.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan accused the mayor of a long-running scheme in which he allegedly accepted illegal campaign contributions and lavish travel benefits from foreign nationals seeking influence, and in return performed official favours. The mayor pleaded not guilty and vowed to fight the charges, insisting he was innocent and would be vindicated.
The indictment capped months of investigations that had swept up several senior members of his administration, and it left his government reeling, with a wave of top officials resigning amid the turmoil. Prominent politicians across the state called on Adams to step down, arguing he could not effectively govern while fighting for his freedom.
Adams refused to resign, pledging to continue running the city and to prove his innocence in court. But the charges deepened the sense of an administration in crisis and raised questions about who was steering the government through the ongoing challenges of the migrant crisis and budget strains.
The case plunged the city into uncharted territory and dominated its politics, setting the stage for a turbulent period at City Hall and reshaping the contest to lead the city in the election to come.