New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court Friday to federal charges related to with Turkish nationals that landed him lavish gifts in exchange for beneficial treatment. "I am not guilty your honor," Adams told the judge. The one-time police captain listened as Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker informed Adams of his rights.
Asked if he understood those rights, Adams replied, "Yes, I do, your honor." Federal prosecutors accused Adams of accepting more than $100,000 in improper benefits over nearly a decade, many of which came in the form of flight upgrades and stays in luxury hotels, none of which were publicly divulged as required. The indictment also alleged Adams and a staffer knowingly worked with Turkish nationals to send foreign money to straw donors for his mayoral campaign, and used that money to rake in over $10 million from New York City's matching funds program.
Adams, 64, who is the first sitting New York City mayor to be criminally charged, has denied the allegations and vowed to fight the charges, despite rising calls for him to step down. Longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler, whose district covers central Manhattan, was the latest New York official to call for Adams to step down Friday.
Adams was released on his own recognizance and ordered to have no contact with witnesses or anyone named in the indictment. He is allowed to have contact with staff members or relatives who may have knowledge of the fact pattern as long as they do not di.