Just a day after the news of Eric Adams indictment broke, fresh revelations have emerged about the legal web weaving around City Hall. Unsealed on Thursday morning, the indictment outlines a staggering five counts against Adams, striking through the heart of his 2021 mayoral campaign with allegations of foul play. The specifics? It’s all about contributions—specifically improper ones.
The indictment specially states, “ERIC ADAMS, the defendant, sought and accepted illegal campaign contributions in the form of ‘nominee’ or ‘straw’ contributions, meaning that the true contributors conveyed their money through nominal donors, who falsely certified they were contributing their own money. As a result of those false certifications, ADAMS’s 2021 mayoral campaign received more than $10,000,000 in public funds. Prosecutors say Adams accepted more than $100,000 in improper benefits, and none were publicly divulged as required.
As the indictment took center stage, Adams took to the podium to address the media, appearing unruffled. “I ask New Yorkers to hear our defense before making any judgments,” he asserted, attempting to steer the narrative back to his innocence. However, the press conference morphed into a direct scene, with hecklers barking and shouting. One can be heard calling him a “disgrace for all Black people.”
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Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, has since released a statement regarding all of this: “We have known for some time that they would try to find a way to bring a case against Mayor Adams. Yesterday — more improper leaks. Today — they emailed us a summons (and created the spectacle of a bogus raid). And very soon they will no doubt hold an hour-long dog-and-pony show presser rather than appear in open court, ABC News quotes.
He went on to say, “Federal judges call them out all the time for spinning in front of the cameras and tainting jurors. But they keep doing it because they can’t help themselves, the spotlight is just too exciting. We will see them in court.”
The legal pickle Adams finds himself in doesn’t stop at just campaign finance violations. He’s now up against one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, two counts of soliciting contributions from foreign nationals, and the granddaddy of allegations—bribery. If convicted, Adams, who is the first sitting New York City mayor to ever face charges, is staring down significant prison time.