NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City Mayor Eric Adams is set to appear in court on Friday on federal charges of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals, as the Democrat resists mounting calls from within his own party to resign. Adams, 64, is set to appear before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker in Manhattan at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT).
He will likely be asked to enter a plea. Adams denied wrongdoing and said he would fight the charges in court. "I will continue to do my job as mayor," Adams said at a news conference on Thursday.
In an indictment returned by a grand jury on Tuesday and unsealed on Thursday, federal prosecutors said Turkish diplomats and businesspeople illegally funneled money to Adams’ campaign and showered him with luxury travel perks, including rooms at opulent hotels and meals at high-end restaurants. In exchange, Adams in 2021 pressured city officials to allow Turkey's new 36-story consulate to open despite safety concerns, according to prosecutors. The alleged scheme dates back to 2014, when Adams became Brooklyn borough president, prosecutors said.
The illegal campaign contributions helped finance his 2021 campaign for mayor, prosecutors said. The Democrat faces five criminal charges and could face decades in prison if found guilty. Turkey's foreign ministry, president's office and Washington embassy did not respond to requests for comment.
Adams, a former police officer who rose to the rank of captain, is the firs.
