New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal charges of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals. As a Democrat, he continues to resist mounting calls from within his own party to resign.
Adams, 64, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker in Manhattan federal court for his first appearance in the case. He wore a dark blue suit with a purple dotted tie and looked straight ahead as Parker outlined the five felony counts he faces, including bribery and wire fraud.
When Parker asked for his plea, Adams said, “I am not guilty, your honor.” His lawyer, Alex Spiro, announced plans to file a motion to dismiss the charges next week. Adams is scheduled to return to court on October 2.
The court released Adams without requiring bail, under the condition that he avoids contact with witnesses or anyone named in the indictment. Parker allowed exceptions for staff and family members, as long as he does not discuss the indictment’s details with them.
Federal prosecutors unsealed the indictment on Thursday, accusing Turkish diplomats and businesspeople of illegally funneling money to Adams’ campaign and offering luxury travel perks, including business-class flights, lavish hotel stays, and upscale restaurant meals. In return, Adams allegedly pressured city officials in 2021 to approve Turkey’s new 36-story consulate despite safety concerns, according to prosecutors.
A spokesperson for Turkey’s foreign ministry stated on Friday that Ankara is closely monitoring the proceedings, adding that its diplomats follow protocol. “Our diplomatic missions adhere to the Vienna Conventions and diplomatic traditions,” the spokesperson said. “It is out of the question for us to interfere in the internal affairs of any country.”
After the hearing, Spiro told reporters that the accusations stemmed from false statements made by a staffer, minimizing the severity of the charges. He expressed confidence that the charges would be dismissed. “This isn’t even a real case. This is the airline upgrade corruption case,” Spiro said.
Adams, a former police officer who rose to the rank of captain, became the first of the city’s 110 mayors to face federal charges while in office. For the past month, political unrest has gripped the city as federal investigations targeted high-ranking officials.
New York City has witnessed significant political upheaval in recent weeks. The police commissioner resigned on September 12 after FBI agents seized his phone, and Adams’ top legal adviser stepped down shortly thereafter. On Friday, U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called on Adams to resign, joining a growing group of prominent city officials and lawmakers. However, two powerful Democratic leaders from Brooklyn, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have refrained from making similar calls.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has the authority to remove Adams from office, but Pace University Law School professor Bennett Gershman described the process as complicated. On Thursday, Hochul said she would “review my options and obligations as the governor of New York.”
Prosecutors claim the scheme dates back to 2014 when Adams served as Brooklyn borough president. They allege that Adams accepted free travel from Turkish Airlines, valued at tens of thousands of dollars, while paying only $600 for a two-night stay in a luxury suite at the St. Regis hotel in Istanbul, which normally costs $7,000. According to the indictment, Adams preferred flying on Turkish Airlines even when it proved inconvenient. In a 2017 text message, he told his partner, “You know first stop is always Istanbul,” when she expressed surprise about their layover on a flight from New York to Paris.
Turkish Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
Prosecutors further allege that Adams accepted illegal foreign contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign. They accuse him of responding to Turkish diplomats’ requests, including pressuring city safety inspectors to allow the consulate to open in time for a September 2021 visit by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, even though the building would have failed a fire inspection. After the Fire Department approved the building later that day, Adams allegedly notified the Turkish diplomat, who responded, “You are a true friend of Turkey.”
