On Sept. 25, Eric Adams made history as the first sitting New York City mayor to be indicted while in office, facing multiple charges including fraud, bribery, and conspiracy.
The charges stem from allegations Adams accepted illegal donations and lavish gifts from Turkish businessmen in exchange for political favors.
Although Adams pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, a conviction on all counts could result in a sentence of up to 45 years in prison.
Though it was anticipated for months, the indictment has nevertheless sent a minor shockwave through city politics.
The Unity Democratic Club expressed concern with Adams’ ability to effectively govern the city while under federal indictment.
“As with all elected officials,” club spokesman Marcelo Lopez said, “we hold the mayor to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Bronx residents, along with all New Yorkers, deserve a mayor who is fully focused on addressing critical issues, such as affordable housing, food security and public safety.”
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a member of the rival Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, shared similar sentiments.
”It’s obviously disturbing that the mayor of the city is under indictment,” Dinowitz told The Press. “That’s certainly not anything any of us have ever seen in our lifetime.”
He pointed out the recent resignations of the corporation council, schools chancellor, and health commissioner, among others, illustrated the political turmoil within the mayor’s administration has existed for a longer time. Dinowitz said the length of time for which some of those positions remained unfilled has served to prove most of the work is not necessarily done by the commissioners themselves, as much as the people who work under the commissioners.
The assemblyman said, despite current media focus on other elected officials calling upon the mayor to resign, he has received only one email from his constituents advocating for Adams to step down.
Speaking for himself, Dinowitz does he does not find it necessary for Adams to quit, believing the mayor is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven.
Still, he said, there are problems with campaign finance in New York.
“The whole system of matching funds, while a very important feature of campaign finance that we have in New York City and now in New York State, kind of lends itself to possible corruption.” Dinowitz said.
Dinowitz’s opponent for the upcoming 81st District Assembly election, Republican Kevin Pazmino, also declined to call for Adams to resign, but said that included an asterisk.
“I think [Adams] probably should resign,” Pazmino said, “but what scares me the most is who would become mayor if that did happen.”
Jumaane Willaims would likely be the mayor’s immediate successor. He has served as the New York City Public Advocate since 2019, a role that is essentially a watchdog for the city government.
Councilman Eric Dinowitz also refrained from calling for the mayor’s resignation.
“My focus is on my constituents,” he said when the situation. Regardless of what happens at City Hall, Dinowitz said, he would endeavor to continue ensuring his constituents receive the services they need.
State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, on the other hand, called on Adams to resign long before his indictment. Rivera told The Press he worked with Adams back when the mayor was a state senator, and sat directly behind him in meetings.
“Resign, defend yourself, but do it on your own time,” Rivera said. “The city has come to a halt because there’s so many decisions that need to be made by agency heads that we don’t have.”
For Rivera, the situation is very simple. It’s not about Adams’ innocence or guilt, as that will be determined in a court of law.
“It’s about whether he can govern effectively,” Rivera said, “and we know he can’t.”