Pro-crypto mayor Eric Adams is facing serious allegations of defrauding New York City taxpayers out of $10 million during his 2021 mayoral campaign.
Prosecutors claim Adams obtained public matching funds by lying about illegal contributions, many of which were linked to Turkish businessmen.
The indictment released accuses Adams of directing his campaign staff to seek out and accept illegal donations from wealthy Turkish donors, all while knowing it was against the law.
At a press conference, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said that Adams’s campaign used “straw donors” to conceal the source of the foreign money.
These straw donors allowed him to falsely certify illegal contributions as legitimate, enabling him to receive up to $2,000 in public funds for each donation.
Illegal donations and luxury perks
The 57-page indictment describes how Adams prioritized raising money for the mayoral race. “You win the race by raising money. Everything else is fluff,” Adams allegedly texted a supporter.
His strategy included taking advantage of relationships made during his trips to Turkey, where he mingled with wealthy businessmen and an unnamed senior diplomat.
According to prosecutors, these connections helped Adams secure the illegal donations he needed.
Adams allegedly directed his staff to pursue these illegal contributions, despite knowing he couldn’t legally accept money from foreign nationals.
One Turkish promoter even offered $100,000 that could be routed through an American citizen, a clear example of a straw donation, as detailed in the court papers.
In a text message to a staffer, the promoter reportedly wrote:
“Fundraising in Turkey is not legal, but I think I can raise money for your campaign off the record.”
Jocelyn Strauber, Commissioner for the city’s Department of Investigation, believes that the mayor’s actions gave foreign benefactors and wealthy individuals undue influence over his office.
This influence extended beyond the mayoral race, as Adams allegedly continued accepting the contributions and personal benefits for nearly a decade, right from his time as Brooklyn Borough President in 2014.
Federal charges and political fallout
Adams now faces five federal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals.
The indictment shows a long-running pattern of accepting luxury perks in exchange for political favors.
For instance, Adams allegedly pressured the NYC Fire Department to open a Turkish consular building without a proper fire inspection, a direct result of his relationship with a Turkish official. Williams said:
“The mayor engaged in a long-running conspiracy. He took these contributions even though he knew they were illegal. He knew these contributions were attempts by a Turkish government official and Turkish businessmen to buy influence with him.”
Adams, however, remains defiant. He said this morning that he wasn’t surprised by the charges and urged the public to “wait to hear our defense before making any judgments.”
He added that he wouldn’t be changing his daily responsibilities despite the indictment hanging over him.
“I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city as I’ve done throughout my entire professional career.”
Adams has publicly supported the use of crypto. He suggested that New York should explore accepting Bitcoin and other digital currencies for tax payments and other municipal fees.
Prominent politicians like Democratic Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have called for his resignation. If Adams were to step down, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would temporarily take the role until a special election is held.