New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicted: Report

NEW YORK (TND) — The 110th mayor of New York, Eric L. Adams has been indicted after several weeks of searches, subpoenas and arrests of other figures in his administration, according to the New York Times.

It is currently unclear what the charges of the indictment are against the retired police captain. Adams was originally indicted after a federal corruption investigation.

The indictment is expected to be unsealed on Thursday, making Adams the first New York City mayor to be criminally charged while holding the position. It is still unknown Adams will appear in court.

“I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became,” Adams said in a statement. “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”

In a speech recorded at his official residence, Adams acknowledged that some New Yorkers would question his ability to manage the city while he fights the charges, but he vowed to stay in office. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove him from office, has not yet commented on Adams' indictment beyond saying she is aware of it and monitoring the situation.

“I have been facing these lies for months ... yet the city has continued to improve," Adams said. "Make no mistake. You elected me to lead this city and lead it I will.”

If he were to resign, he would be replaced by the city public advocate Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election for a permanent replacement.

Adams is not the first official in New York City to be investigated by the FBI.

Earlier in September, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban stepped down after federal agents searched his home.

Three other high-ranking members of Adams announced their resignation this month. The departures include New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks, former City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg, and former City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwi Vasan.

The FBI recently seized the phones of both Banks and Caban.

Earlier on WednesdayRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., urged Adams to resignas federal investigations into members of his administration continue.

Adams maintains that he did nothing wrong. Federal authorities first seized the Mayor's electronic devices in November 2023.

Over the summer, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Adams, his campaign arm and City Hall, requesting information about the mayor’s schedule, his overseas travel and potential connections to the Turkish government.

Adams spent 22 years in New York City’s police department before going into politics, first as a state senator and then as Brooklyn borough president, a largely ceremonial position.

He was elected mayor in 2021, defeating a diverse field of Democrats in the primary and then easily beating Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, a Republican, in the general election.

After more than two years in office, Adams’ popularity has declined. While the city has seen an increase in jobs and a drop in certain categories of crime, the administration has been preoccupied with efforts to find housing for tens of thousands of international migrants who overwhelmed the city’s homeless shelters.

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Editors Note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.