The irony of Eric Adams is almost comedic. Cops are seen as role models, reflecting how a utopian society should act they are obligated to uphold the law and protect citizens. So when Eric Adams a former policeman of 20 years has been charged with multiple allegations such as bribery, wire fraud, and campaign fraud it’s almost mocking the moral duties of a cop. Eric Adams, a mayor, borough president, and an NYPD was charged with 5 federal crimes on September 25th 2024. The case held against him mainly focused on how he was receiving surplus bribes in order to allow a building to be approved without proper regulation; endangering New Yorker lives.
Throughout the decade Adams was conspiring with Turkish diplomats to illegally help speed up the process of the Turkish Consultive Building. The building located in midtown Manhattan was approved to be built and to facilitate regardless that their fire safety system had several defects that could be life-threatening. Regardless of the violations of the building Adams proceeded to be an operating building and received various bribes from the Turks. Such bribes were surplus donations to his campaign funds, trips to France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, Ghana Turkey all-expense paid, and luxury flights according to AP NEWS.
Not only that but Adams, took advantage of the public fund policies of New York City and embezzled it for his professional use. The US VS ADAMS indictment files, depict how Adams abused his power as mayor by creating fraudulent donations to the public to receive surplus public funds. New York has a matching-dollar program which establishes the idea that when a New Yorker donates to show their opinion or voice in an election excess public funds get added. However, Adams used this program in order to allow his illegal bribes and campaign donations to seem orderly, and thus received a surplus of 10,000,000 for his campaign funding. Adams also used straw donations which are illegal campaign contributions and discreetly had cover-ups for them. An example of this was he created an alleged “fundraiser” at the Manhattan Hotel in September 2023. The Adams Fund Raiser with the cooperation of “International Sustainability Leaders created a dinner in order to address sustainable destinations, or so we thought. In reality, this charity was established to raise campaign funding for Eric Adams 2025. Tickets to attend were an outstanding 5,000$ each minimum and it was perceived as an exclusive event for wealthy advocates and politicians. Adams, intentions were never revealed to the public during the time of the fundraiser, and it was only proven that the funding truly went to his campaign when they looked at his private calendar stating that it was truly just meant to be a promotion for his campaign.The controversial mayor who received the appraisal and backlash throughout his 2 years in office was in court on September 27th where he pleaded innocent. Regardless of the evidence used against him in court and the allegations Adam does not plan in any time soon to step down from office. Throughout his mayoral career, Adams has faced intense criticism for his unsympathetic rulings. For instance, last September when New York faced intense downpours, flash floods, and the majority of MTA buses and trains not running he insisted the school would remain open. According to CBS NEWS, this led to various collisions on roads, over 150 schools facing intense water damage and kids being forced to walk through the intense storm hours late to the school day. New Yorkers have never typically favored Adams due to his unwise choices, but this court case may just break the camel’s back.
Written by Caroline Zera
