On Thursday, federal prosecutors announced they are charging New York City Mayor Eric Adams for a bribery and wire fraud scheme spanning nearly a decade. Adams allegedly accepted illegal campaign contributions from corporations and foreign donors, including the Turkish government. Adams is accused of manipulating regulators for the Turkish Consulate and not recognizing the Armenian genocide in exchange for campaign donations and lavish gifts. According to prosecutors, “the mayor knew, accepted and actively sought illegal donations from foreign sources,” says George Joseph, an investigative reporter for The Guardian. “This is a generational-level scandal for New York City.” The unsealed indictment is raising pressure on the mayor to resign. “It is impossible for the mayor to perform his duties,” says Zohran Mamdani, a New York state assemblymember, who may himself run for mayor. “The same mayor who is now being alleged to have received over $100,000 in bribes was just last week praising New York police officers for opening fire on four New Yorkers at a subway station over the crime of stealing $2.90 of a subway fare.”
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.