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NBCSep 23
NYC Mayor Eric Adams Indicted After Federal Investigation
Above: New York City Mayor Eric Adams is pictured at City Hall during his weekly in-person press conference on March 19, 2024. Image copyright: Luiz C. Ribeiro/Contributor/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images via Getty Images
The Facts
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams on bribery charges Thursday, accusing him of failing to disclose luxury airline tickets, hotel stays, yacht rides, and meals from wealthy foreigners and Turkish officials since at least 2014.
In exchange, Adams is accused of pressuring a fire department official to expedite the inspection of the Turkish consular building ahead of the Turkish president's visit to the city. The building allegedly would have failed the inspection otherwise.
The Spin
Narrative A
This is a spectacular fall from grace for the mayor of the US' largest city. While the law does not require Adams to step down if indicted, the mere presence of constant investigations and poor publicity will damage his administration's ability to govern the city. For the sake of all New Yorkers, Eric Adams should remove himself from office.
Narrative B
While this indictment, if proven, would be shocking, America operates on the notion of presumption of innocence. Adams is owed that much, at least, and we should be careful before jumping to conclusions. Federal prosecutors have made baseless accusations against New York City politicians before, so Adams should stick up for himself if he's truly innocent.