A stony-faced Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty to explosive corruption charges in Manhattan federal court Friday — and was ordered to stay away from witnesses and alleged cohorts in his historic case. Hizzoner — who is the first sitting New York City mayor to be criminally indicted — stared blankly ahead as the judge fired off the slew of conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery allegations he is facing. “I am not guilty, your Honor,” Adams told Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker.
The jurist ordered Adams be released on his own recognizance — but not before warning him to stay away from people named in the indictment against him, as well as witnesses in his case. Parker added, “I’m obliged to warn you that if you fail to appear in court ..
. a warrant will be issued for your arrest.’’ Dressed in a navy suit and maroon tie, Adams sat calmly with his hands folded in his lap for much of the proceeding.
The hearing came just hours after the mayor surrendered himself to the feds at the courthouse in Lower Manhattan in the morning – a day after the bombshell five-count indictment against him was unsealed. Adams pleaded not guilty to all five charges in the indictment: wire fraud, bribery, two counts of receiving campaign contributions from a foreign national, and conspiracy. If convicted of wire fraud, the most serious charge, he is facing up to 20 years in federal prison alone, prosecutors said.
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