Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, enters a plea of not guilty to federal charges of bribery and fraud

New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court Friday to federal charges related to an alleged conspiracy 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 discuss the case.

The mayor did not make any statements after the arraignment, but gave a thumbs up to the media. His attorney, Alex Spiro, told reporters after the hearing that it was “not a real case.”

He claimed prosecutors did not have any evidence against his client, and laid blame on an unidentified staff member mentioned in the indictment who allegedly dealt with the Turkish nationals. Spiro claimed the staffer lied to prosecutors.

“There are no emails or text messages or corroboration that the mayor had anything to do with these allegations,” Spiro said.

Adams will return to court next week for an initial conference before the district judge who will oversee the case.

“We will be filing a motion to dismiss on Wednesday,” Spiro said.

Prior to his arraignment, Adams was fingerprinted and photographed and basic pedigree information was taken during processing.

The 57-page indictment had several details about Adams’ alleged corruption that dated back to his time as Brooklyn borough president.

The indictment included several text messages from an unidentified Adams staff member and several unidentified Turkish business persons and an unidentified Turkish government official, who provided gifts such as first-class flights and stays at luxurious hotels in Turkey and other locations.

The indictment also claimed a Turkish government official tried to open a new high-rise building in Manhattan in 2021 that would house Turkey’s consulate and pushed Adams to speed up the construction permits. Despite warnings from New York City fire safety professionals, Adams pressured the fire department to open the building and solicited more travel gifts, according to prosecutors.

The indictment followed a nearly yearlong investigation that included probes into Adams’ closest allies. Federal agents have searched and seized electronics from several officials, including former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who resigned shortly after the search, and deputy mayors Phil Banks and Sheena Wright.

No other New York City official has been charged in connection with Adams’ allegations. The investigation is ongoing.

Eric Adams, the newly elected Mayor of New York City, has found himself embroiled in a legal battle after entering a plea of not guilty to federal charges of bribery and fraud. The charges stem from allegations that Adams accepted bribes in exchange for political favors and used his position for personal financial gain.

Adams, a former police officer and Brooklyn Borough President, ran a successful campaign for mayor on a platform of tackling crime and improving public safety in the city. However, these charges have cast a shadow over his administration before it even begins.

The allegations against Adams are serious and could have far-reaching implications for his political career. If convicted, he could face significant jail time and fines, as well as being forced to resign from office. The charges also raise questions about the integrity of the political system in New York City and the potential for corruption among elected officials.

Adams has vehemently denied the charges against him and has vowed to fight them in court. In a statement to the press, he maintained his innocence and stated that he looks forward to clearing his name and continuing to serve the people of New York City.

The case against Adams is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen how it will unfold. However, the allegations have already had a significant impact on his reputation and credibility as mayor. The people of New York City deserve leaders who are honest and transparent, and these charges call into question whether Adams can fulfill that role.

As the legal proceedings progress, it will be important for the public to stay informed and hold their elected officials accountable. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of New York City politics and the fight against corruption. Only time will tell how this situation will ultimately be resolved.