New York City Mayor Eric Adams has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges, including bribery, wire fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations.
Wearing a dark blue suit, Adams arrived at federal court in New York for a brief hearing to enter a plea.
According to reporters in court, he told Judge Katharine Parker with a straight face: “I’m not guilty, your honor.”
The 64-year-old was indicted earlier this week on charges of accepting illegal campaign funds and thousands of dollars in luxury travel benefits from Turkish businessmen and an official in exchange for his influence as mayor.
Adams has denied any wrongdoing and said the public should withhold judgment until he enters a plea.
“I followed the rules, I followed federal law, I did not do anything that would amount to illegal campaign activity,” he said at a news conference.
Adams gave reporters a thumbs up as he entered court Friday morning.
He was released on bail. Judge Parker ruled that Adams cannot speak to witnesses about facts related to the case, although he can discuss private business or family matters with them, according to US media .
If convicted, Adams could face up to 45 years in prison.
He has rejected growing calls to resign from members of his party.
The former police officer was elected to lead America’s most populous city nearly three years ago with a promise to be tough on crime.
Prosecutors said Adams’ misconduct began in 2014, during his time as Brooklyn Borough president, and continued during his mayoral campaign and while he was in office.
In the 57-page indictment, Adams is accused of pressuring New York City Fire Department officials to approve the Turkish consulate building without safety inspections in exchange for benefits such as a trip to the Turkish consulate. Discount flights, luxury hotels and meals.
Prosecutors said he also misused $10 million in public funds.
He is accused of using straw donors – a scheme an individual or organization uses to circumvent campaign finance limits – to receive illegal donations from foreign countries. out and combine them with city funds that are supposed to be for small-dollar contributions from residents.
The mayor will return to court on October 2.
Adams has insisted he will remain in office while the case plays out, despite calls from Democrats at the state and federal level to resign.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams. She said she needed time to review the indictment to “see what this was all about.”
Adams could also be ousted from the mayor’s office by a so-called “powerless commission,” which could include at least some city officials who oppose him.
Adams’s indictment comes as the federal government launches several investigations into his administration, which has seen a wave of resignations in recent weeks.
The police commissioner, health commissioner and the mayor’s chief adviser all left office as did the school principal, David Banks, whose phone was confiscated.
