Mayor Eric Adams
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Source: The Washington Post / Getty
The indictment of Mayor Eric Adams has been unsealed and the Southern District of New York has laid out massive corruption from the ex-cop. The defendant is being charged with bribery, fraud and solicitation, mostly tied to his dealings with Turkish nationals seeking his favor as the leader of the largest city in the United States.
The indictment was unsealed on Thursday (September 26) morning. Adams has been indicted on five federal corruption charges that include bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. According to the SDNY, his corruption dates back to 2014, when he was elected Brooklyn Borough President.
Allegedly, the Turkish nationals had their eyes on Adams, and he happily took the bait, accepting campaign funding and luxury trips in exchange for favorable decisions on their behalf. Among the SDNY’s allegations are that Adams accepted illegal campaign contributions, free luxury travel via Turkish nationals and even accepted bribes as part of a quid pro quo with his benefactors.
Some of the ways Adams allegedly tipped the scales was by pressuring New York Fire Department officials to open a new Turkish consulate despite issues with its fire inspection. Adams is also accused of changing his phone’s password, then saying he forgot it—after the Feds seized said phone. Cover up much?
Adams, a retired NYPD captain, became New York City mayor in 2021.
A defiant Adams, surrounded by Black supporters, said “I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense” and that “my day to day will not change” in regards to his job as mayor of New York City during a press conference on the steps of Gracie Mansion shortly after the indictment was unsealed.
As the details of the indictment make their way out into the world, social media continues to pile on. See some of the more boisterous reactions in the gallery.
You knew things weren’t going to go well when Adams’ press conference began with him getting heckled and read the riot act.
This story is developing.
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Source: Andrew Lichtenstein / Getty
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted. The divisive politician is the first mayor of the Big Apple to face criminal charges while on the job.
Collins: The NYT is now reporting that New York City Mayor Eric Adams has just been indicted by federal prosecutors.. We saw Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calling for him to resign.. He responded he hasn’t faced any charges yet. Of course now.. we see he has been indicted pic.twitter.com/R09rV3RXU4
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 26, 2024
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The indictment is sealed, for now. Adams, a retired NYPD captain, has been under investigation by the Department of Justice for months over the fundraising for his mayoral campaign, which has been allegedly tied to foreign nations including Turkey. Adams’ phones were seized last year, yet, he was still on the job.
Of course, Adams put out a statement denying everything, claiming he is the actual victim. Reportedly, even after he’s inevitably arrested, he can still return to office until his case is taken to trial. New York State’s governor Kathleen Hochul does have the ability to suspend Adams, if she desires. But at this point that is all conjecture.
Over the last couple of weeks and days alone numerous top officials on his staff and NYC’s City Hall have stepped down.
Earlier in the day (Sept. 25), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Casio called for Adams to resign, citing all the investigations surrounding his administration and referencing the departures. “I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” wrote AOC on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”
To say Adams has been a divisive figure since the moment he was elected mayor would be an understatement. Socia media media user, particularly from NYC, are letting everyone know how they really feel—see in the gallery below. More calls for his resignation are coming through, too.
4. Never forget.
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Source: Andrew Lichtenstein / Getty
Federal prosecutors are now researching New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ ties to five other countries concerning an investigation into his campaign.
According to the New York Times, the federal investigation of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his ties to the Turkish government has now expanded to include five other countries, according to sources. The request for information is linked to the sweeping grand jury subpoenas that were issued to a swath of City Hall back in July. The primary goal of the investigation for prosecutors was to determine whether Adams conspired with the Turkish government to illegally funnel foreign donations into his campaign back in 2021. The five countries prosecutors requested information about are Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
The specific information that the federal authorities are looking for in this new batch of subpoenas includes information on records concerning tickets to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which Adams attended, as well as data on New York Police Department booths outside of foreign consulates and Adams’ use of the encrypted Signal app. Prosecutors are also looking into allegations of Adams receiving free flights and upgrades from Turkish Airlines, as well as the allegations that he pressured the New York Fire Department into approving a high-rise consulate building in Midtown
They also sought more information about the former Turkish Consul General Reyhan Özgür and Arda Sayiner, a brand influencer based in Turkey who has ties to Rana Abbasova. Abbasova was a former Adams liaison to Turkey and worked in his international affairs office until her home was raided by federal authorities last November. Ms. Abbasova is now cooperating fully with the government’s investigation. The July subpoenas had been issued after FBI agents had seized Mayor Adams’ phones after stopping him outside of an event he was attending last November.
Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for City Hall said officials weren’t going to comment on the subpoenas “but, as we have repeatedly said, we will continue to fully comply with any law enforcement inquiry.” At his weekly press conference, Adams defended his policies. “We continue to progress…that is what I must do,” he said. “I’ve always done that for New Yorkers, and I will continue to do that.” To date, Adams’ administration has been rocked by resignations after federal seizures of devices including former NYPD commissioner Edward Caban.
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Source: Pacific Press / Getty / Mayor Eric Adams / Lisa Zornberg
It’s not looking good for Mayor Mixxy, aka Eric Adams.
As the walls continue to close in on NYC Mayor Eric Adams as his people in his close inner orbit are getting visits from the feds and arrested in some cases, another sign Eric Adams is in trouble is New York City Hall’s chief counsel suddenly stepping down.
The New York Post reports that Lisa Zornberg, who has been the lead attorney for Mayor Mixxy and City Hall since July 2023, has handed in her resignation papers. Her move comes after NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban also resigned.
According to the Daily News reporting, Zornberg resigned “after the mayor rejected her advice to fire several top administration officials ensnared in federal corruption investigations rocking City Hall, according to two sources familiar with the matter.”
In a statement, Zornberg said, “I am deeply grateful to Mayor Adams for giving me the opportunity to serve the city, and I strongly support the work he has done and continues to do for New Yorkers.”
In response, Adams thanked Zornberg for her service and said he would swiftly find her replacement.
“We appreciate all the work Lisa has done for our administration and, more importantly, the city over the past 13 months. These are hard jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever,” Adams said.
It’s Not Looking Good For Eric Adams
Zornberg’s resignation comes on the heels of the homes of Caban and other members of the NYPD’s homes being raided as part of a massive corruption probe alleging influence peddling.
James Caban, Edward Caban’s twin brother, is currently under investigation by the feds for allegedly being a “fixer” for many Manhattan restaurants and clubs as part of his “consulting” work.
The hits keep on coming for Eric Adams.
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Source: Spencer Platt / Getty
New York City Mayor Eric Adams caught the wrath of numerous people online after a clumsy statement defending NYPD officers shooting wildly at a subway farebeater.
On Sunday (September 15), New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement in a post on X, formerly Twitter, after an incident where New York Police Department officers shot at an alleged farebeater at a subway station in Brooklyn. “Earlier today, one of our officers was shot while protecting our subway system. I am relieved to report he is in good condition now, and we have arrested the suspect who put so many lives in danger. I cannot thank these officers enough for their bravery,” Adams wrote. The post immediately received a correction through the platform’s Community Notes for omitting that it was NYPD officers who fired their guns, hitting a fellow officer as well as two civilians.
Earlier today, one of our officers was shot while protecting our subway system. I am relieved to report he is in good condition now, and we have arrested the suspect who put so many lives in danger. I cannot thank these officers enough for their bravery. pic.twitter.com/nSLDTyZwkj
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) September 16, 2024
The incident took place at the Sutter Avenue L train station in Brownsville, Brooklyn as two officers observed Derell Mickles enter the station without paying the fare at 3 P.M. They followed Mickles up three flights of stairs to the platform, where they confronted him. At a press conference, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey stated that the officers on the scene yelled at him to stop, at one point following him onto a waiting train and then off. “The suspect challenged the officers, saying, ‘No, you’re going to have to shoot me,’” Maddrey told the press, adding that they deployed Tasers which were “ineffective”.
The officers then opened fire as Mickles reportedly charged at them, hitting him in the stomach but also hitting bystanders on the platform. “Everyone who was struck this afternoon, we believe, was hit by our officers,” Maddrey said, saying that the Force Investigation Division and the Detective Squad will conduct further investigations.
Adams’ statement omitting the NYPD officers’ culpability angered many who saw the statement on X, blasting him for another sign of ineptitude. Others noted that the situation came a day after his attorney Lisa Zornberg resigned in a surprise move, and four days after NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned amid a federal corruption probe that has targeted several other members of Adams’ administration.
There may be no severe disciplinary action for the NYPD officers in the Brownsville subway shooting, as Caban reportedly signed off on internal disciplinary reductions before stepping down.
Check out more reactions to Adams’ statement below.
1. Nima Shiraz
2. Molly Conger
3. Shay Stewart Bouley
4. Best of TV Bots
5. Andrew Citrano
6. Luca Guadagnegro
7. ANTIFAbadgebun
8. Czarina
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Source: Pacific Press / Getty / Eric Adams
Everyone in Mayor Mixxy, aka Eric Adams’ close orbit, is getting unwelcomed visits from the Feds.
The New York Post reports that federal agents came knocking at the homes of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, and the townhouse shared by Schools Chancellor David Banks and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright with search warrants in hand.
According to the newspaper, the feds seized their electronic devices during Wednesday’s raid.
Law enforcement officials also revealed that Phil and David Banks’ brother, Terence Banks, a former MTA official who now does consulting work, was swept up in the raid madness.
Retired NYPD inspector Timothy Pearson also had his electronic devices subpoenaed, law enforcement sources revealed.
The raids are part of the broad corruption probe into Eric Adams’ campaign.
Per The New York Post:
It wasn’t clear if the raid on the Harlem home shared by Wright and David Banks targeted one or both of them.
The connections between the raids, subpoenas and other law enforcement sweeps targeting Caban, other NYPD officials and City Hall bigwigs remained murky Thursday.
But sources said the top cop and others in the department were targeted as part of a sweeping corruption probe involving influence peddling.
Caban’s twin brother, James Caban, a former NYPD sergeant, was served a search warrant with a subpoena, sources said. Investigators are looking into his role in the world of nightlife enforcement, according to sources.
Sources confirmed that NYPD Chief of Staff Raul Pintos and two precinct commanders in Manhattan and Queens were asked to turn over their phones.
The feds also are looking into rank-and-file NYPD officers, from precinct commanders on down, who serve in Midtown South and other precincts with a strong nightlife presence, sources said.
None of the individuals involved have been accused of any crimes.
Adams has broken his silence on the raids, saying, “As you’ve heard me say over and over again, as a former law enforcement person, we will always follow the law, and that is what this administration always stood for and will continue to stand for.”
He continued, “Whatever information is needed, we will turn over.”
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are leading the probe and have circled Adams since his 2021 campaign.
We shall see what more information will come out of this investigation.
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Fat Joe’s birthday month keeps getting better and better. Mayor Eric Adams awarded him the key to New York City.
As spotted on TMZ the South Bronx, New York native was given an honor that will live with him forever. On Tuesday, August 20 the city’s chief gave him the award at Orchard Beach prior to his performance hosted by Rise Up NYC. In attendance were not only Joe’s family and friends but also the likes of Funkmaster Flex, Chubb Rock, Doug E. Fresh, Wayne Wonder and others. “Fat Joe who’s getting the Key to the City of New York. All his legendary — his music, a real brother, authentic — we want to give you this key,” Mayor Adams said.
The “Lean Back” MC then took the microphone and briefly spoke on the honor. “Shout-out my wife, my daughter, shout-out my favorite aunt in the world. I gotta thank the pioneers. From Melle Mel, Mr. Ness to KRS-One — my whole life I been trying to be KRS-One — LL Cool J, Heavy D and the list goes on,” Fat Joe said. “I want to shout out everybody here because we in the Bronx and I know I know all of you. Every last one of you, I know you — I love you.”
Earlier this year Fat Joe received his honorary doctorate degree from Lehman College. You can see him receiving the key to New York City below.
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Source: Pacific Press / Getty / Eric Adams
The federal investigation into NYC Mayor Eric Adam’s 2021 campaign continues to be a thorn in his side.
Raw Story reports that Mayor Mixxy was reportedly subpoenaed as part of the ongoing federal investigation into corruption and unlawful campaign donations.
Per Raw Story:
Three subpoenas were served in July, The New York Times reported. They seek an array of materials such as texts, documents and other communications, and reportedly seek information on the travel of Adams, his aides and others, as well as fundraising activities.
Specifically, the subpoenas were issued to Adams, City Hall and Adams’ mayoral campaign, according to CNN. The subpoena to City Hall seeks information including about his travel to Turkey.
According to the website, the feds are investigating whether Adams and his campaign were in cahoots with the Turkish government, allowing him to receive unlawful campaign donations and free flight upgrades from Turkish Airlines.
The New York Times also reports that the feds are investigating whether Mayor Adams pushed the fire department into giving the green light on a new skyscraper consulate for Turkey, raising safety concerns.
Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for Adams, spoke to CNN on the matter, saying that the NY Mayor expects everyone to cooperate and “swiftly bring this investigation to a close.”
Levy continued, “As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has been clear over the last nine months that he will cooperate with any investigation underway. Nothing has changed.”
Welp.
This latest news comes after the feds seized two of Adams’s phones, and the homes of two of his raids were the subject of raids.
We shall see if this investigation has serious consequences for the NYC Mayor.
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Source: Raymond Hall / Getty
Ever since the video of Diddy horrifically assaulting Cassie in a hotel hallway hit the internet, Diddy’s been keeping a low profile as everyone and their mama has been vocal in their disgust and dismay at his inexcusable actions.
The video even prompted the struggle mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, to suggest that he was going to revoke the key to the city that Diddy was given just last year, and sure enough, Diddy has seemingly complied.
According to the Huffpost, the revered music icon turned-social pariah has indeed given up his key to the city after receiving letters from the mayor’s office asking that he return the symbolic gesture of civic recognition as they no longer feel Diddy is worthy of the honor. While some may have blown off the letters and kept it moving, Diddy respected the request and returned the award.
Per Huffpost:
The mayor’s office said Combs returned the key after Adams sent letters to the embattled musician’s offices in New York and California on June 4 rescinding the key and asking for it to be sent back to City Hall. The city received the key June 10.
In his letter, Adams wrote he was “deeply disturbed” by the attack, adding “I strongly condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.”
Combs’ career has been derailed by numerous accusations of sexual abuse, as well as a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation that led to raids of Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.
The news comes just weeks after Howard University also rescinded the honorary degree they awarded Diddy in 2014 and ended the scholarship program they had under his name.
While we’re sure these things hurt Diddy’s pride, he has much more to worry about as a grand jury has been empaneled in connection to the investigation into his many crimes against humanity.
What do y’all think of Diddy giving up his key to the city? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Jared Siskin / Getty / Lamor Whitehead
The Niggler, aka Bishop Lamor Whitehead, is going to prison for a long time.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ mentee, allegedly Bishop Lamor Whitehead, will head to prison for nine years.
Whitehead’s prison sentence is a verdict of him hoodwinking and bamboozling a parishioner’s mother out of her life savings, plus other scams.
The decision comes after Judge Lorna Schofield listened to testimony from the victims of Whitehead’s scamming and from the “Bling Bishop” himself, who took a page out of rapper The Game’s book, namedropping everyone he allegedly dealt with.
Per The Daily News:
Manhattan federal court Judge Lorna Schofield handed the term after hearing from financially destroyed victims and Whitehead himself, who namedropped a laundry list of city and state officials he’s dealt with, including the mayor, state Attorney General Letitia James, Brooklyn District Attorney General Eric Gonzalez, his predecessor, the late Ken Thompson, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey and others, none of whom were in attendance.
“I don’t see any remorse for your conduct,” Judge Schofield said, describing the evidence as “frankly overwhelming.”
Lamor Whitehead’s Reckoning Comes After A Jury Hit With A Guilty Verdict In March
A jury hit Whitehead, the pastor of the Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries in Canarsie, Brooklyn, with a guilty verdict for five counts, including wire fraud, attempted extortion, lying to the FBI, and other charges from three different schemes in March.
Prosecutors successfully argued during the trial that Whitehead abused the trust of his loyal followers, defrauding them out of tens of thousands of dollars by dangling his ties to Mayor Adams.
Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement:
“Lamore Whitehead is a con man who stole millions of dollars in a string of financial. frauds and even stole from one of his parishioners. He lied to federal agents and again to the court during his trial. Today’s sentence puts an end to Whitehead’s various schemes and reflects this office’s commitment to bring accountability to those who abuse their positions of trust.”
Social Media Also Wants Eric Adams In Prison
The reactions to the news of Whitehead going to prison for nine years are pouring in.
Of course, many are clowing the Bling Bishop, but many of the reactions want NYC Mayor Eric Adams to end up behind bars.
“DO @NYCMAYOR NEXT PLEASE AND THANK YOU @FBI,” one user on X wrote.
Mayor Adams was not accused of any wrongdoing during Whitehead’s trial, but Mayor Mixxy does have his own issues he needs to worry about and could face some serious jail time, according to some legal experts, if the FBI investigation he is currently under turns up damning evidence.
The gallery below shows more reactions to Lamor Whitehead heading to prison for nine years.
1. Damn, y’all don’t like Mayor Mixxy at all
2. Where is the lie?
4. The walls are closing in on Eric Admas
7. They sure don’t.