Eric Adams expected to face charges and A's play their last game in Oakland: Morning Rundown
NBCSEP 20 2024
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted following a federal corruption investigation, multiple outlets reported late on Wednesday. It is the first time a sitting New York City mayor has faced criminal charges.Federal prosecutors in Manhattan indicted NYC Mayor Eric Adams on bribery charges Thursday, accusing him of failing to disclose luxury airline tickets, hotel stays, yacht rides, and meals from wealthy foreigners and Turkish officals since at least 2014.
While the exact details of the indictment, first reported by the New York Times, remain unclear, it was reported that it would be unsealed on Thursday.In exchange, Adams is accused of pressuring a fire department official to expedite the inspection of the Turkish consular building ahead of the Turkish president's visit to the city. The building allegedly would have failed the inspection otherwise.
However, it is believed the indictment relates to Adams' connection to Turkish government officials. Namely, that he allegedly accepted illicit campaign contributions from the officials in exchange for approving a new Turkish consulate in Manhattan.The flight tickets, which he allegedly began accepting during his time as the Brooklyn borough president, included trips to India, Turkey, France, China, Hungary, and Ghana, valued at over $100K.
This is a spectacular fall from grace for the mayor of America's largest city. While law does not require him to step down if an indictment comes, it is more than likely that his position would become untenable.
While this indictment, if proven, would be shocking, America operates on the notion of presumption of innocence. Adams is owed that much, at least, and we should be careful before jumping to conclusions.