Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents raided Gracie Mansion, the home of Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams, on Thursday after the mayor was indicted on multiple charges by a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
The New York Post reported that Manhattan prosecutors unsealed the indictment against Adams on Thursday morning, revealing charges of fraud, bribery conspiracy, and illegal foreign campaign donations. The outlet noted that the grand jury indictment comes after several of the mayor’s aides and allies were investigated in a federal corruption probe.
The indictment states, “In 2014, Eric Adams, the defendant, became Brooklyn Borough President. Thereafter, for nearly a decade, Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him.”
Prosecutors claimed that the Democratic mayor “sought and accepted illegal campaign contributions in the form of ‘nominee’ or ‘straw’ contributions.” The indictment alleged that the “true contributors” donated money through “nominal donors” who falsely claimed to be donating their own money.
READ MORE: FBI raids home of NYC police commissioner, 3 other top aides
The indictment adds, “By smuggling their contributions to Adams through U.S.-based straw donors, Adams’s overseas contributors defeated federal laws that serve to prevent foreign influence on U.S. elections.”
In a statement to The New York Post prior to the unsealing of the grand jury indictment, Adams claimed that he had become a “target” because of his service to the citizens of New York City. The mayor said, “If I am charged, I am innocent, and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
CNBC reported that prior to the announcement of the specific charges against Adams, FBI agents raided the mayor’s residence at Gracie Mansion and seized his phone. According to Fox 8, Adam’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, argued that the FBI raid was unnecessary and was executed to “create a spectacle.” He said, “They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have happily turned it in.”
Media personality Benny Johnson shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, of FBI officials raiding Adam’s residence early Thursday morning.
News of the mayor’s indictment has been met with criticism by Republican leaders in New York. In a statement obtained by Fox News, New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar said, “The mayor and his administration appear to be riddled with corruption, and the public has lost all confidence in their ability to move the five boroughs forward. Mr. Adams should do what’s best for this city and step aside so that a new election can be held. His situation is untenable.”
