New York Mayor Eric Adams charged with corruption. The case is receiving wide attention before the elections

He promised voters to follow the rules and fight crime. After coming to power, he became the first mayor in New York history to face criminal charges. Eric Adams, a former policeman, is accused of, among other things, taking bribes and receiving campaign money from abroad, specifically from Turkey.

He defends himself, as befits a politician – he claims that he is the victim of an attack.

– We're not surprised. We expected this based on the activities that have taken place over the last 10 months. Leaks, comments, demonization. I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making judgments,” said Eric Adams, Mayor of New York.

Eric Adams has been mayor of New York since 2022. Previously, as mayor of Brooklyn, he was to accept “gifts” worth $123,000 over five years. According to the prosecutor's office, these were mainly business class airline tickets to Turkey, which he visited as many as six times, and a stay in a luxury apartment in Istanbul.

The FBI's investigation shows that in return, Adams allegedly pressured his officials to authorize the opening of the Turkish consulate building in New York, bypassing the procedures. Adams also allegedly concealed contributions to his 2021 campaign from Turkey.

-According to the indictment, Mayor Adams participated in a long-term operation in which he solicited and knowingly accepted illegal campaign contributions from foreign donors. He accepted these payments even though he knew they were illegal and were a way for a Turkish government official and Turkish businessmen to buy influence with him, says Damian Willimas, prosecutor for the Southern District of New York.

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The FBI raided the mayor's residence. As evidence, it seized, among others, his phones and tablet. Adams insists he did nothing wrong. He has no intention of resigning from his position.

– We don't want such things to happen in our city. For the good of the city and the functioning of its administration, it would be best if Mayor Adams resigned from office, says Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the United States House of Representatives from the Democratic Party.

– Just because he was indicted doesn't mean he can't be mayor. He was not tried, he was not convicted. But now the biggest questions people are asking are: Will this affect his ability to govern effectively? Will he be too distracted trying to refute the allegations? Will he be able to be a leader? Will people be willing to follow him on some city policy issues? – comments Richard Briffault, professor of law at Columbia University.

Adams may be recalled by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, but the mayor is her political ally. They are both members of the Democratic Party.

– I will make a decision in due time. I need to look at the indictment and see what it says, says Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State. “It is extremely important that we continue to maintain the trust of New Yorkers. They are anxious now. I feel it. I know that, he adds.

The case of Mayor Adams is grist for the mill of Republicans and Donald Trump ahead of the November presidential elections, who may now point to Democrat-ruled New York as a hotbed of corruption. Especially since the prosecutor's office is conducting separate investigations into several high-ranking New York City Hall officials associated with Adams.

– I felt it could happen at any time. What's happening in this city is just crazy. All his people he placed in City Hall are suspect, says a resident of New York. – We are dealing with cronyism. I really hope that the situation will change and we will find a new, proper candidate for mayor – another resident echoes her.

Adams tries to give his case a broad political context. In his opinion, the prosecutor's charges are alleged revenge from the federal authorities for open criticism of Joe Biden's immigration policy.