New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty on Sept 27 to federal charges of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals, as the Democrat resists mounting calls from within his party to resign.
Adams, 64, entered the plea before US Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker at his first appearance in the case in Manhattan federal court. He previously denied wrongdoing, and said he would fight the charges in court. "I will continue to do my job as mayor," he said at a news conference on Sept 26.
In an indictment returned by a grand jury on Sept 24 and unsealed two days later, federal prosecutors said Turkish diplomats and businesspeople illegally funneled money to Adams' campaign and showered him with luxury travel perks, including rooms at opulent hotels and meals at high-end restaurants.
In exchange, Adams in 2021 pressured city officials to allow Turkey's new 36-storey consulate to open despite safety concerns, according to prosecutors.
The alleged scheme dates back to 2014, when Adams became Brooklyn borough president, prosecutors said.
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