New York City Federal criminal charges have been filed against Mayor Eric Adams, The New York Times Reports late Wednesday said the indictment was still sealed, so the nature of the charges was unclear. Adams is the first New York mayor to be indicted while in office.
Prior to the indictments, Adams and his administration were embroiled in a tangled web of federal investigations that included subpoenas, raids, and disturbances inside City Hall.
Earlier this month, the FBI raided the homes of several top officials in Adams’ administration, including Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, City Police Commissioner Edward A. Cabanne, and Schools Chancellor David Banks. Authorities also seized the electronic devices of Adams’ adviser, Timothy Pierson, and issued a series of subpoenas to other members of his administration.
The raids were not related to a single investigation. Caban resigned shortly after his devices were seized, as authorities investigated allegations that his twin brother, James Caban, was using his connections to the police commissioner to advance his nightlife business ventures.
Others whose homes were raided are being investigated in connection with separate allegations of a bribery scheme that may have involved Terrence Banks – an adviser and fundraiser to Adams and also the brother of Philip and David Banks. On September 24, David announced that he would resign as school chancellor at the end of December.
Adams' chief legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, and Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan also abruptly left the administration in September.
The mayor has tried to brush aside the growing crisis within his administration. “I’ve been very clear, as a former member of law enforcement, over and over again,” he told CBS New York earlier this month. “We follow the rules. We make sure that we cooperate and provide any information that is requested, and it would be really inappropriate for us to stand in the way of the review while it’s being conducted.”
Now that he has been indicted, Adams may eventually succumb to pressure from state and city lawmakers urging him to resign. Three state senators, two city council members and one assembly member have publicly called for the mayor’s resignation, as has Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
“I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue to govern New York City,” she wrote Wednesday. “The flood of resignations and vacancies threatens the functioning of government. The ongoing investigations will make it impossible to hire and retain qualified management. For the good of the city, he must resign.”
Brad Lander, the city’s comptroller who has already announced his intention to run for mayor, called on Adams to step down shortly after news of the charges broke. “Adams, like every New Yorker, deserves due process, the presumption of innocence, and his day in court,” he wrote on X. “But defending himself against serious federal charges will clearly require the time and attention required to govern this great city. The most appropriate course of action is for him to step down so that New York City can have the full focus its leadership requires.”
If Adams resigns, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams will become acting mayor, and a special election will be held to choose his replacement.
