NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged in federal corruption investigation into administration

NEW YORK (WABC) — A federal grand jury has filed indictments against New York Mayor Eric Adams, but the charges have not yet been finalized, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The latest development makes Adams the first mayor in New York City history to be impeached while in office.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Adams responded to the charges in a statement released Wednesday evening.

“I always knew that if I stood up for New Yorkers, I would be a target – and I was. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight it with all my strength and determination,” he said.

The police officer turned politician and members of his inner circle were the target of federal investigations for nearly a year.

His cell phones were seized, and in recent weeks the homes of some of his closest associates were searched by federal agents working on several related corruption investigations.

The mayor accepted the resignation of Edward Caban, his hand-picked police commissioner, two weeks ago after authorities issued a subpoena for his cell phones.

The mayor's chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, resigned. This week, schools chancellor David Banks announced he would retire at the end of the year. Banks also turned over his phone to federal authorities.

The cellphones of Banks' younger brothers Philip, the deputy mayor for public safety, and Terence were also seized. The cellphone of David Banks' fiancée, Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor, was also seized.

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Adams has stated that as a former police officer, he has always followed the rules. He also said he is not aware of any “misconduct” within his administration.

He has repeatedly stated that he is not aware of any wrongdoing and dismissed speculation about possible charges against him as “rumors and insinuations.” As recently as Wednesday afternoon, he had vowed to remain in office.

“The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what,” Adams said.

The federal investigation into his administration first came to public attention on November 2, 2023, when FBI agents raided the Brooklyn home of Adams' chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, in the early morning hours.

At the time, Adams insisted he was following the law and said he would be “shocked” if anyone on his campaign team had acted illegally. “I can't tell you how many times I start every day by telling my team that we have to follow the law,” he told reporters at the time.

Days later, FBI agents seized the mayor's phones and iPad as he left an event in Manhattan. The interaction was disclosed several days later by the mayor's attorney.

Other investigations have focused on city contracts and the enforcement of regulations for bars and clubs.

Adams was only the second African American to lead the nation's largest city and was hailed as the forerunner of a new generation of Democratic leaders who could both support law enforcement and chart a progressive course in the wake of a pandemic that rocked the city.

Under his leadership, the city has seen a remarkable decline in violent crime after a spike in the Covid era, a time when business leaders and residents complained that New York was heading backwards to the bad old 1980s.

According to sources, Adams is not expected to appear in court until next week.

ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is breaking news. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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