Defiant Adams vows to continue as mayor after federal indictment unsealed: ‘My day-to-day will not change’
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the federal indictment against him for the first time in person Thursday, assuring New Yorkers that “my day-to-day will not change.”
“We expected this,” Adams said, flanked by supporters outside Gracie Mansion. “This is not surprising to us at all.
“The actions that have unfolded over the last 10 months with leaks, commentary, the demonizing — this did not surprise us that we reached this day,” he said.
“I asked New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgment,” he said. “In about 30 minutes, you’re going to hear a story about the case that is in front of us. The story will come from federal prosecutors, and I ask to wait and hear our side to this narrative.
“From here, my attorneys will take care of the case so that I can take care of the city,” Adams added.
Hizzoner, who spoke as details of the damning, 57-page indictment were made public, was met with calls of “Amen” from his backers.
“It’s an insult to the hard-working people of this city that anyone would say that they won’t do their job while this case proceeds in the background,” Adams said.
His lawyer, Alex Spiro, challenged federal prosecutors in comments later Thursday, claiming the indictment was meant to “tarnish” Adams.
“You almost picture them trying to cobble this together and try to tell a story that they could say corruption, corruption at this press conference,” Spiro told reporters. “They do that to tarnish him in your eyes. That’s why they’re doing that.”
He said improper airline flights cited by the US Attorney’s Office consisted of seating upgrades, not pricey perks.
“That’s what airlines do,” Spiro said. “They do it every day. They do it for VIPs, they do it for congresspeople. They are empty seats. They cost the airlines nothing.”
He also noted that the trip took place in 2017, five years before Adams, a former Brooklyn borough president, was mayor.
“There is nothing improper, illegal or wrong about that,” he added. “But they don’t want you to look at that too long.”
Spiro said despite the $10 million figure cited in the indictment, the money “from the people of Turkey” amounted to $26,000.
Outside Gracie Mansion, Adams was flanked by civil rights activists Herbert Daughtry, Chantel Wright, Hazel Dukes and others.
“They’re dedicated public servants and I have been one of them for many years, and they’re going to continue to do their job moving this city forward every day,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate day and it’s a painful day, but in spite of all of that, it’s a day when we will finally reveal why for 10 months I have gone through this.”
“I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city as I’ve done throughout my entire professional career.”
The federal case against Adams marks the first time a sitting Big Apple mayor has been hit with criminal charges while in office.
The charges include allegations that Adams took illegal campaign money from the Turkish government to fast-track approval of the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan, according to sources.
Federal prosecutors allege that the mayor pocketed some $10 million in perks and bribes, including more than $100,000 for high-end travel and ritzy overseas digs.
The investigation has ensnared several administration officials close to the mayor, including schools Chancellor David Banks and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban.
The scandal even prompted chief counsel Lisa Zomberg to quit after she pushed Adams to fire other potentially controversial City Hall staffers and the mayor refused.
Meanwhile, Thursday’s show of support for Adams also exposed rifts among New Yorkers over their mayor, with a vocal group of hecklers calling for his head.
“He’s no different than Sean ‘P-Diddy’ Combs,” one protester yelled during the Gracie Mansion press conference, a reference to the recently jailed music mogul on sex-trafficking charges.
“You are always in favor of the cops until they come after you,” he said. “You belong in jail with no bail.”
“This is your protection? Hazel Dukes?” another anti-Adams protester screamed. “You should resign. You’re an embarrassment. You’re an embarrassment to black people.”
However, Dukes, a civil rights activist and former president of the NAACP, said New Yorkers should not rush to judgment.
“I’m 92 years of age. I’ve known this young man for over 40 years,” she said. “I come with a heavy heart today, but my head is not unbound.
“He’s going to have his day in court and we’re gonna stand by him. We came this morning to pray for him, ’cause prayers change things,” she added. “Hear his side.”
Additional reporting by Craig McCarthy