NEW YORK, USA — New York Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal charges following a series of corruption investigations that have rocked his administration, according to multiple media outlets on Wednesday. While the exact nature of the charges remains unclear due to the sealed indictment, the news marks a significant moment as Adams becomes the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to face such charges.
The indictment follows several federal probes, including three led by the US district court in Manhattan, which have targeted individuals in Adams’s inner circle, as well as top officials within his administration. Although the mayor, a former police officer, has maintained a public image of business as usual amid the investigations, the mounting pressure appears to be unraveling the stability of his leadership team.
Amidst this backdrop, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for the 64-year-old mayor’s resignation, stating that his departure is necessary “for the good of the city.” Her statement marks the first instance of a high-profile national figure demanding Adams step down, adding another layer of pressure on the embattled mayor, who is up for re-election in 2025.
The past week has been particularly turbulent for Adams, with several key members of his administration resigning. Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan and Education Chancellor David Banks, a longtime friend of the mayor who oversees the city’s vast public school system, both announced their plans to leave by the end of the year. Their decisions followed the immediate resignation of Police Commissioner Edward Caban and the mayor’s chief legal advisor, Lisa Zornberg.
Caban, who stepped down after only a year leading the 36,000-strong New York Police Department, is under scrutiny by federal investigators. His resignation coincided with federal agents seizing his electronics as they investigate potential links between his twin brother’s nightclub-security business and the mayor’s administration.
These revelations have shed light on personal and business entanglements within Adams’s closest circle, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and deepening the federal scrutiny of his leadership. The indictments and resignations have cast a shadow over Adams’s future as mayor and raised questions about the stability of the city’s administration under his watch.
