Eric Adams will likely face an expanded indictment with additional corruption charges, prosecutors said Wednesday – as the embattled mayor returned to Manhattan federal court in the case accusing him of taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions.
“We think that is quite likely,” prosecutor Hagan Scotten told Judge Dale Ho when asked if the feds planned to file what’s known as a “superseding indictment” in the historic case.
The prosecutor added it was “likely additional defendants will be charged” and that it’s “possible” the new indictment would include even more allegations against the mayor as the feds pursue “several related investigations.”
The feds made the bombshell disclosure as Hizzoner faced court for the first time since pleading not guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges at his arraignment last week.
Adams flashed a thumbs-up as he was heckled while making his way to the Lower Manhattan courthouse for the 80-minute procedural hearing.
“Resign! The whole administration,” one man raged at Adams outside the courthouse. “Criminal. You’re a criminal. You’re a sellout. Resign, sucker.”
Prosecutors have alleged Adams, who is the first sitting New York City mayor to be criminally indicted, accepted improper gifts from Turkish officials and businesspeople — including $123,000 in free or heavily discounted hotels and flights — dating back to his time as the Brooklyn borough president a decade ago.
In exchange for the apparent freebies, Adams coughed up favors — including pressuring city officials to push through speedy approvals for the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan, the court papers charge.
He also fraudulently obtained $10 million in matching public campaign funds via straw donors from foreign sources, the feds allege.
Scotten said Wednesday that prosecutors have “multiple witnesses” lined up who were prepared to testify at a trial – including several who will admit to allegedly making illegal campaign contributions.
The feds have evidence, too, that a City Hall official told at least one of those witnesses to allegedly “lie to the FBI” amid the investigation, Scotten said.
Adams – who donned a navy suit, white shirt and blue patterned tie – was silent and stared straight ahead with his hands folded in his lap as the judge went back-and-forth about a trial date during the hearing.
| Year | Destination | Benefits | Value | Disclosed? |
| 2016 | India (via Turkey) | Free upgrade to business class for two on round-trip flight from New York to India | $12,000 | No |
| 2017 | France, Turkey, and China | Free business class tickets for three on round trip from New York to France, Turkey, and China; heavily discounted stay in Bentley Suite of St. Regis Istanbul | $41,000+ | No |
| 2017 | China (via Turkey) | Free business class tickets for two on round trip from New York to China | $16,000+ | No |
| 2018 | Hungary (via Turkey) | Free upgrade to business class for two on round trip from New York to Hungary | $12,000+ | No |
| 2019 | Turkey | Free upgrade to business class for one on flight from New York to Turkey; free stay at Cosmopolitan Suite of St. Regis Istanbul; free meals, transportation, and entertainment in Istanbul | $9,000+ | No |
| 2021 | Turkey (solicited and accepted but then canceled) | Free upgrade to business class for two on round trip from New York to Turkey; free or steeply discounted luxury hotel and resort stays, transportation, entertainment, and meals | $21,000+ | No |
| 2021 | Ghana (via Turkey) | Free upgrade to business class for two on round trip from New York to Ghana; free meal and transportation during Istanbul layover | $12,000+ | No |
Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, asked to hold the trial in March – ahead of an important ballot deadline for next June’s mayoral election.
The judge acknowledged the need for a “speedy trial” but stopped short of immediately setting a date.
He did, however, set a schedule to deal with the flurry of motions and complaints Adams’ lawyer has filed as he seeks to dismiss the bribery charge against him.
The mayor’s attorney is also seeking an inquiry into whether prosecutors improperly leaked information to reporters about the investigation.
Prosecutors have until Oct. 18 to respond in writing, while the defense was given until Oct. 25 to file additional paperwork. Arguments have been scheduled for Nov. 1.
As the case against the mayor continues to develop, Scotten also dropped what he described as a “significant wild card” — telling the judge the feds still have yet to break into Adams’ personal cellphone – nearly a year after it was seized.
When the FBI obtained the device in November last year, investigators found it was locked and needed a password to open it, according to the indictment.
Adams claimed he’d changed the password a day earlier to prevent his staff from accidentally or intentionally deleting the phone’s contents because he “wished to preserve” what was on the device amid the probe, the court papers charged.
The mayor, however, then claimed he had “forgotten” the newly set password, the filing said.
