Adams is accused of accepting illicit gifts from Turkish civilians and one government official totaling more than $100,000 (£75,000) as part of what authorities have called a “abuse of power”.
Prosecutors claim that in return, Turkish officials asked the mayor for favors, such as assistance circumventing security protocols to establish a consulate in New York.
Adams, a former captain of the police, has promised to fight the accusations in court and denied any misconduct.
Eric Adams is charged with five different crimes, including wire fraud, two charges of soliciting a contribution from a foreign national, bribery, and “conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals.”
The 57-page indictment claims that starting in 2016, when Adams was still the president of the New York borough of Brooklyn, he collected more than $100,000 in luxury travel from Turkish nationals. This travel included hotel stays, opulent meals, and plane upgrades.
