New York City Mayor Eric L. Adams was indicted on Wednesday following a federal corruption investigation, according to The New York Times. As reported, the indictment remains unreleased, and it is unclear what charges Mayor Adams will face.
Adams becomes the first New York City mayor to face criminal charges while in office. The indictment comes as the administration of Adams, a former state senator and former police chief, faces intense scrutiny from the FBI and federal prosecutors over an investigation that began more than two years ago and focuses on Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign. The investigation became public last year when the FBI searched the home of Adams’ fundraising chief.
“I knew that standing up for the people of New York would make me a target, and I have,” Adams said in a statement after news of the indictment broke. “I remain innocent of the charges and intend to fight them with all my might and spirit.”
Early Wednesday morning, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called on Adams to resign, writing in an X post that “the proliferation of resignations and vacancies is threatening to undermine the functioning of our government. Constant investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified executive branch.”
She continued, “For the good of the city, he should resign.”
City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is running for mayor, also called on Adams to resign. “The hard-working citizens of New York City deserve city government and leadership they can trust,” Lander said. “Currently, they don’t have that.”
If Adams resigns, New York City Public Defender Jumaane Williams will become acting mayor.
