NYC Mayor Eric Adams may face additional charges in corruption probe, federal prosecutors say
NEW YORK -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams could face additional charges following last week's federal indictment on bribery and other charges, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
During a status conference hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten told Judge Dale Ho it is "quite likely" prosecutors will seek a superseding indictment, adding it is "possible" more charges will be filed against the mayor and "likely" charges will also be filed against other defendants.
Adams' defense attorney, Alex Spiro, was quick to pounce on word from prosecutors of the possible additional charges.
"The prosecution is desperately now saying they 'could' bring a new case because they are suddenly facing dismissal of their actual, flawed case and sanctions for misconduct. This is the sort of nonsense that prosecutors say when they don't have a real case. If they had a real case, they would have brought it," Spiro said.
Adams appeared in court Wednesday.
"Busy, busy, busy city. Running the city. Making sure we continue to move forward," the mayor told reporters as he arrived for the hearing.
After court, he went back to his public schedule.
"No matter what happens in this city, in any particular time, to any individuals, the operation continues," Adams said.
Hours after leaving the federal courthouse in Manhattan to a chorus of protesters chanting "resign, resign," he appeared at a Brooklyn town hall and maintained his innocence.
"I did nothing wrong," he said. "I'm gonna fight for this city."
The mayor's attorneys have filed motions to dismiss his bribery charge and are seeking sanctions against the prosecutors over what they call leaked information to the press about the investigation.
Gov. Kathy Hochul comments on Adams investigation
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is the only person with the power to fire the mayor, commented on the possibility of additional charges, saying she is making sure city services aren't degraded.
"I'm just monitoring the situation to see if there's any disruption in those. Otherwise, the process must play out," Hochul said.
She called the recent resignation of Adams' senior advisor, Tim Pearson, a "good first step." Pearson is the fifth appointee of Adams' to leave their post in less than a month.
"We expect changes. That's not a secret, and changes are beginning," Hochul said.
Hours after she said that, City Hall announced Schools Chancellor David Banks, whose phones were seized by the feds in September, will retire on Oct. 16 instead of Dec. 31.
Latest on the Adams investigation
Adams was arraigned last week on five counts, including bribery, wire fraud and soliciting campaign donations from foreign nationals. His alleged crimes date to 2014, when he was Brooklyn borough president, and include lavish international trips with airline and hotel upgrades, allegedly in exchange for political favors.
Prosecutors say the investigation began in summer of 2021 and their evidence includes texts, emails, calendar entries, bank records, telephone records, voice memos, government records, and witnesses who directly participated in the alleged crimes. Some of the communications they noted were in Turkish.
They also said they have evidence Adams tried to tamper with witnesses, adding the wildcard in the case is the mayor's seized cellphone, since he told the feds when it was seized he forgot the new password. Spiro said they would work with prosecutors to unlock it.
Adams pleaded not guilty and continues to maintain his innocence, saying he can still effectively manage the city, even as its first mayor to be indicted.
Both the prosecution and defense have asked for the trial to start in the spring, either March or May.
"We do not want this case dragging," Spiro said.
