New York City Mayor Eric Adams has pleaded not guilty to five federal charges in a corruption case stemming from an investigation into his illegal donations and bribes during his election campaign.
Judge Katharine H. Parker read the charges before a Manhattan court, which include bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign citizens.
“From here on, my lawyers will take over the case so I can take care of the city. My day-to-day life will not change. I will continue to do the job I was elected to do by 8.3 million New Yorkers,” he told the court.
After pleading not guilty, he was released on condition that he not speak to any witnesses in the context of the investigation. The events date back to before Adams, a retired captain in the city’s Police Department, was elected mayor in 2021, although they continued after he took office.
Prosecutors allege that he “accepted valuable improper benefits, such as luxury international trips, including from wealthy foreign businessmen and at least one Turkish government official who sought to have influence over him,” according to the newspaper ‘The Washington Post’.
Adams took office in January 2022 and presented himself as the new face of the Democratic Party, promising a tough strategy against crime and a commitment to revitalize the city after the COVID-19 pandemic. During his term, he has faced several challenges such as the immigration crisis or security in the subway.
