New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a federal grand jury, according to sources familiar with the case, though the charges remain sealed. This makes Adams the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to face indictment while in office. Should he step down, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would assume the role and organize a special election.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on the situation.
In a statement, Adams addressed the indictment rumors, suggesting he had not yet been formally notified. “I always knew that standing up for New Yorkers would make me a target, and a target I became,” he said. Adams proclaimed his innocence and vowed to fight the charges with “every ounce of [his] strength and spirit.”
In a recorded speech from his official residence, Adams acknowledged that some New Yorkers might question his ability to lead the city during this legal battle but promised to stay in office. “I have been facing these lies for months, yet the city continues to improve,” he said. “You elected me to lead this city, and lead it I will.”
Governor Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office if the situation escalates. A spokesperson for the governor said she is aware of the “concerning news reports” and is monitoring developments, but stated it is “premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”
For nearly a year, Adams and his close associates have been under federal investigation. Authorities recently seized Adams’ phones, and federal agents have searched the homes of some of his closest allies in connection to several corruption probes.
Adams recently accepted the resignation of Police Commissioner Edward Caban after a subpoena was issued for Caban’s phones. Other key officials have also stepped down, including Adams’ chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, and Schools Chancellor David Banks, who announced his plans to retire at the end of the year. Both Banks and his deputy mayor brothers, Philip and Terence, had their phones seized as part of the investigation, along with Banks’ fiancée, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
