The US Attorney’s Office in New York announces “serious charges of public corruption”

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York said it would announce “serious charges of public corruption” at a press conference late Thursday morning.

The announcement came hours after federal agents entered the mayor’s official residence early Thursday and seized his phone, hours before the charges were made public. The press conference is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

In a video address released Wednesday evening, Adams vowed to fight all allegations against him and claimed he had been made the “target” of a case “based on lies.”

The indictment is the crowning conclusion of a extraordinary few weeks in New York City, when federal investigators targeted members of Adams’ inner circle, sparking a flurry of raids, subpoenas and resignations of high-ranking figures and plunging City Hall into crisis.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS. The previous AP story follows below.

NEW YORK (AP) — FBI agents raided the official residence of New York Mayor Eric Adams early Thursday morning and seized his phone, hours before an indictment detailing criminal charges against the Democrat was due to be released.

Adams was accused by a grand jury on as-yet-unspecified charges in a federal criminal case, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

“This morning, federal agents showed up at Gracie Mansion to create a spectacle (again) and take Mayor Adams’ phone (again),” Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro said in a statement, adding that the mayor was not arrested. “They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have gladly surrendered it.”

On Thursday morning, federal police officers were seen entering the mayor’s Manhattan residence. Several vehicles with federal police signs were parked in front of the house.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan has not commented on the investigation but planned to discuss the case at a press conference at 11:30 a.m. An FBI spokesman declined to comment. A spokesman for the mayor did not immediately respond to questions Thursday morning.

In a video address released Wednesday evening, Adams vowed to fight all allegations against him and claimed he had been made the “target” of a case “based on lies.”

“I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and spirit,” he said.

It was not immediately clear which laws Adams is alleged to have broken or when he will have to appear in court.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office. Her spokesman, Avi Small, issued a statement late Wednesday saying, “Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation. It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”

The indictment is the crowning conclusion of a extraordinary few weeks in New York City, when federal investigators targeted members of Adams’ inner circle, sparking a spate of raids, subpoenas and resignations of high-ranking figures.

Federal prosecutors are apparently conducting several separate investigations involving Adams and his senior staff, their relatives, campaign contributions and possible interference with police and fire departments.

In the last two weeks alone, the city’s police chief and school director have announced their resignations.

FBI agents seized Adams’ electronic devices nearly a year ago as part of an investigation that focused at least in part on campaign contributions and Adams’ contacts with the Turkish government. Because the indictment was sealed, it was not known whether it addressed the same matters.

In early September, federal investigators seized the devices of his police chief, his schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and other confidants inside and outside City Hall.

All have denied any wrongdoing.