On Thursday morning, federal agents searched the residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. This came after widespread media reports the day before stating that he was facing federal criminal charges following a lengthy investigation.
According to witnesses from Reuters, a black SUV with “Federal Law Enforcement” written on it was parked outside the mayor’s official residence in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Witnesses reported seeing over a dozen individuals in business attire carrying briefcases and bags entering the mansion’s courtyard.
Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, confirmed in a statement that federal agents appeared at the mayor’s residence at Gracie Mansion. Spiro criticized the authorities for attempting to “cause chaos” and claimed they had confiscated the mayor’s cellphone. “He has not been arrested and looks forward to his day in court,” Spiro said.
The specific charges facing Adams remain unclear as the indictment is still sealed. It is unknown whether Adams will be arrested or voluntarily surrender, as well as when he might appear in court. According to reports, at least some of the charges may be related to improper donations received during his 2021 mayoral campaign, including allegations of illegal funding from the Turkish government.
On Wednesday, several U.S. media outlets, citing sources, reported that Adams had been indicted by a grand jury. A spokesperson for the Manhattan federal prosecutor’s office, who brought the charges, declined to comment to Reuters.
Adams, a Democrat, will become the first mayor in New York City’s history to face criminal charges while in office if convicted. In a video statement on Wednesday evening, he stated that he expected to be charged and claimed the accusations would be “completely false, based on lies.”
Adams vowed in the video to continue serving while fighting any charges, disregarding calls from other Democratic politicians to resign. “If I am charged, I know I am innocent. I will demand a speedy trial to let the people of New York hear the truth,” Adams said.
(This article was referenced from reporting by Reuters.)