Current:Home > FinanceIndicted New York City mayor could appear before a judge Friday-InfoLens
Indicted New York City mayor could appear before a judge Friday
View Date:2024-12-23 10:17:44
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s embattled and indicted mayor, Eric Adams, could make his initial court appearance Friday on charges that he accepted illegal campaign contributions and free overseas trips from people looking to buy his influence in city government.
An indictment unsealed Thursday accused the Democrat of taking a variety of improper gifts from Turkish officials and businesspeople, including free hotel stays and deeply discounted airline tickets to destinations including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, Ghana and Turkey.
In return, prosecutors said, Adams did favors for his patrons. That included helping Turkey get fire department approvals to open a new diplomatic tower in Manhattan, despite concerns about its fire safety system, prosecutors said.
Adams says he is innocent. His lawyer has said it was neither unusual nor improper for a government official to accept some travel perks. The mayor has denied ever knowingly accepting an illegal campaign contribution and said any help he gave people navigating city bureaucracy was just part of doing his job.
Adams was scheduled to appear at noon before Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker.
Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, asked the court to delay the arraignment until at least Monday, mainly for the purpose of reducing the number of times the mayor would have to come to court. A judge did not immediately respond to that request.
It was unclear late Thursday how the mechanics of Adams’ trip to court might unfold. Many people charged with federal crimes are arrested, booked, then brought before a judge after spending some amount of time in detention. But that isn’t always the case.
When former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, of New Jersey, was arraigned on corruption charges in the same courthouse exactly one year ago Friday, he arrived as a free person in the morning, had a short appearance before a judge and walked out after around 4 1/2 hours in the building. He was never seen in handcuffs.
Adams, a Democrat, faces conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges in a five-count indictment.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on Thursday said that several businesspeople and a Turkish diplomat had engaged in “a multiyear scheme to buy favor” from Adams.
In public remarks Thursday, Adams asked New Yorkers to avoid making any judgments until they heard his defense.
His lawyer, Spiro, told reporters the travel perks and seat upgrades Adams accepted were commonly offered to VIPs and members of Congress.
“That’s what airlines do,” he said, noting that many of the charges relate to trips Adams took years ago when he was Brooklyn Borough President.
It was unclear whether this week’s indictment was the last word on federal investigations involving the administration.
Federal prosecutors are believed to be leading multiple, separate inquiries involving Adams and his senior aides and relatives of those aides. In early September, federal investigators seized devices from the police commissioner, schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and other trusted Adams confidants.
In the last two weeks alone, the police commissioner resigned and the schools chancellor announced he would retire. Neither has been charged with a crime or been publicly accused of wrongdoing.
veryGood! (562)
Related
- Martin Scorsese on the saints, faith in filmmaking and what his next movie might be
- How Dance Moms Trauma Helped Inspire Kalani Hilliker's Mental Health Journey
- Tony Bennett Dead at 96: Anderson Cooper, Carson Daly and More Honor the Legendary Singer
- NASA's mission to purposely collide with asteroid sent 'swarm of boulders' into space
- Pennsylvania House Republicans pick new floor leader after failing to regain majority
- Golden Bachelor’s Gerry Turner Shares What His Late Wife Would Think of the Show
- Seaside North Carolina town overrun with hundreds of non-native ducks
- Madison Beer Claps Back at Body Shamer Saying She's Getting Fatter
- Alexandra Daddario shares first postpartum photo of baby: 'Women's bodies are amazing'
- These Shirtless Photos of Jeremy Allen White Will Have You Saying Yes Chef
Ranking
- Glen Powell Addresses Rumor He’ll Replace Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Franchise
- This Sweat-Wicking Top Will Keep You Cool and Comfortable on the Hottest Days
- Get $173 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Top-Selling Skincare Products for Just $53
- This $30 Deal on an $80 Soniclean Electric Toothbrush Will Give You Reasons To Smile
- Ariana Grande Shares Dad's Emotional Reaction to Using His Last Name in Wicked Credits
- Woman found dead after suspected bear encounter near Yellowstone
- 24-Hour Deal: Skechers Washable Sneakers and Free Shipping
- Body of missing 2-year-old recovered days after flash flood: Police
Recommendation
-
Watch a rescuer’s cat-like reflexes pluck a kitten from mid-air after a scary fall
-
Sink Your Teeth Into These Juicy Secrets About The Vampire Diaries
-
Shop Bags & Accessories at Nordstrom Clear the Rack Sale: Deals on Coach, Kate Spade, Calvin Klein & More
-
Vanderpump Rules' Scheana Shay Claps Back at Claim She's Forgiven Tom Sandoval for Cheating
-
California voters reject measure that would have banned forced prison labor
-
Smooth Out Stubborn, Deep-Set Wrinkles and Save 50% On Perricone MD Essential FX Deep Crease Serum
-
Cheyenne Floyd Reveals Angry Teen Mom Fans Have Shown Up to Her House
-
Vanderpump Rules' Scheana Shay Claps Back at Claim She's Forgiven Tom Sandoval for Cheating