Facing the risk of up to 45 years in prison is mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, after he was indicted on five counts of corruption and foreign bribery.
As has been revealed after the indictment against the Democratic politician was made public, Adams is accused of receiving $123,000 in free flights and other gifts.
“In 2014, Eric Adams became Brooklyn Borough President. From that point and for the next 10 years, the defendant solicited and received valuable benefits, including luxury international flights, from wealthy foreign businessmen and at least one Turkish government official,” the 57-page indictment against Adams reads.
“As Adams’ publicity and power grew, international donors sought to cash in on the corrupt relationships they had with him, especially when it became clear in 2021 that he would be the next mayor of New York City,” the indictment adds.
Special mention is made, in fact, of a phone call Adams received in September 2021 from a Turkish official in which he was allegedly told that “it was his turn to pay back the Turkish official by pressuring the New York City Fire Department to give the go-ahead for the opening of the new Turkish consulate – a 36-story skyscraper – without an inspection, in time for the high-profile visit of the president of Turkey”.
“The building if it had been inspected then would have been “cut” by the New York City Fire Department. Because of Adams’ pressure on the FDNY, the officer in charge of the skyscraper inspection was threatened with firing if he did not respond, so after the mayor’s intervention the building was opened as requested,” the indictment describes.
When Adams did as he was asked, a Turkish official contacted him again and praised him for his attitude. “You are a great Eric. We’re glad to hear about it (the fire department’s approval). You are a true friend of Turkey,” the indictment said of the Turkish official’s text message to the New York City mayor.
Among the gifts allegedly secured for Adams and his associates by Turkish diplomatic officials were free or discounted tickets to destinations in France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary and Turkey.
The indictment also described Adams paying $600 for a two-day stay in a luxury suite at the St. Regis Hotel in Istanbul when the actual price was $7,000.
Adams’ first court appearance in Manhattan is scheduled for noon today.
