According to sources, New York Mayor Eric Adams has been charged with federal crimes

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a grand jury on a federal crime, two people familiar with the matter say, the extraordinary culmination of weeks of searches, subpoenas and resignations of top officials that have plunged the city’s government into crisis.

The indictment containing the allegations against Democrat Adams was supposed to be released on Thursday, according to the people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan declined to comment.

In a speech recorded at his office, Adams said he would remain in office and called any charges he may face “completely untrue and based on lies.”

“I always knew that if I stood up for all of you, I would be a target – and I have been,” Adams said. “I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”

It was not immediately clear which laws Adams is alleged to have broken or when he will have to appear in court.

Federal investigators seized Adams’ electronic devices nearly a year ago as part of an investigation that focused at least in part on campaign contributions and Adams’ contacts with the Turkish government. Because the indictment was sealed, it was not known whether it addressed the same matters.

The New York Times was the first to report on the indictment.

It’s a stunning turnaround for Adams, a former police captain who won election nearly three years ago to become the city’s second black mayor. His campaign emphasized his working-class roots and commitment to public safety. But while Adams made reducing crime a cornerstone of his tenure, he faced increasing legal peril as multiple federal investigations targeted his key aides and his own campaign.

In the last two weeks alone, the heads of the country’s largest police force and largest school system, both of whom he appointed, have announced their resignations.

Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be impeached while in office. If he resigns, he would be replaced by the city’s ombudsman, Jumaane Williams, who would then call a special election.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office. Hochul spokesman Avi Small issued a statement late Wednesday saying, “Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation. It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”

The charges come against the backdrop of the United Nations General Assembly, which brought together dozens of leading politicians in New York, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The federal investigation into Adams’ administration first came to public attention on November 2, 2023, when FBI agents raided the Brooklyn home of his top fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, in the early morning hours.

At the time, Adams insisted he had followed the law and said he would be “shocked” if anyone on his campaign team had acted illegally. Days later, FBI agents seized the mayor’s phones and iPad as he left an event in Manhattan.

Then, on September 4, federal investigators seized electronic devices belonging to the police chief, schools chancellor, deputy mayor for public safety, first deputy mayor and other trusted associates of Adams both inside and outside City Hall.

Federal prosecutors declined to comment on the investigation, but people familiar with elements of the cases described several separate investigations involving senior Adams associates and their relatives, campaign fundraising and possible interference with police and fire departments.

A week after the raids, the city’s police chief, Edward Caban, announced his resignation. About two weeks later, schools chancellor David Banks announced he would retire at the end of the year.

Adams himself insisted that he would continue to take care of the city’s business and let the investigation take its course.

Over the summer, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Adams, his campaign arm and City Hall, demanding information about the mayor’s schedule, his foreign travel and possible ties to the Turkish government.

Adams served for 22 years with the New York Police Department before entering politics, first as a state senator and then as Brooklyn borough president. In November 2021, he was elected mayor – a victory he repeatedly said was ordained by God.

But after more than two years in office, Adams’ popularity has slipped. While the city has seen an increase in jobs and a decrease in certain crime categories, the administration is grappling with an influx of tens of thousands of international migrants who are overwhelming the city’s homeless shelters.

In addition, accusations and suspicions against people close to the mayor continued to circulate.

In addition to the extensive investigation launched by Manhattan prosecutors, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn are investigating another close associate of Adams, Winnie Greco, who raised thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the city’s Chinese American communities and later became his director of Asian affairs. Greco has not commented publicly on the FBI’s searches of her property and continues to work for the city.

When agents seized former police chief Caban’s electronic devices in early September, they also visited his twin brother, James Caban, a former police officer who runs a nightlife consulting business.

Agents also seized devices from the schools chancellor, his brother Philip Banks, a former NYPD chief who is now deputy mayor for public safety, their brother Terence Banks, who ran a consulting firm that promised to connect businesses with government agencies, and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, David Banks’ partner.

All denied any wrongdoing.

While that investigation was underway, federal authorities also searched the homes of newly appointed interim police chief Thomas Donlan and seized materials unrelated to his police work. Donlan confirmed the searches and said they were materials that had been in his possession for 20 years.

In his speech Wednesday evening, Adams appeared to cite the search as evidence of abuses by federal investigators.

Hours before the charges were announced, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on Adams to resign, becoming the first nationally known Democrat to do so. Adams responded with disdain, dismissing Ocasio-Cortez as self-righteous.

Adams, who expects a tough primary election next year, faced further calls for his resignation after the charges were announced Wednesday evening, including from many of his declared or expected Democratic challengers in the race for mayor.

Brad Lander, the city’s treasurer, said the indictment was “a sad day for New Yorkers.” State Senator Zellnor Myrie added that it was “especially painful for so many black New Yorkers who put their hope and trust in this mayor.”

Scott Stringer, a former city treasurer who is expected to run against Adams, said the indictment left New York City “with a collapsed train wreck of a city government.”

Joe Borelli, the highest-ranking Republican on the City Council who is reportedly considering a run for mayor, said he would reserve judgment until the charges were filed.

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