The indictment includes five counts and describes crimes committed over a decade.
The American prosecution authority claims in the indictment that Adams "not only accepted, but also sought illegal campaign contributions" to his mayoral campaign.
Discounted travel
Among other things, a high-ranking official in the Turkish diplomatic circle is said to have arranged for Adams and his entourage to receive free or discounted travel with Turkey's national airline to destinations such as France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, and Turkey, according to the indictment.
In exchange, Adams is said to have helped Turkish officials obtain fire safety certifications for a new diplomatic building in the city.
Adams is also said to have "boosted his gains" from the illegal campaign contributions by exploiting the city's matching fund program, which provides a generous match for small donations. His campaign received more than $10,000 in matching funds as a result of the false certifications, according to the indictment.
Search of residence
The FBI has conducted a search of the mayor's official residence and seized his phone early on Thursday, hours before the indictment was made public.
"I've always known that if I stood up for New Yorkers, I'd become a target – and a target I've become," Adams said in a statement after the FBI operation.
The news comes just over a year after FBI agents raided Adams and seized both his phone and other electronic equipment. Several of his close associates are also being investigated by federal authorities.
The indictment against Adams, who was elected in 2021, is the first ever against a sitting mayor of New York.
