New York Mayor Eric Adams has pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts, including bribery, wire fraud and unlawful solicitation of foreign campaign contributions.
Adams, wearing a dark blue suit, arrived at a New York federal court on Friday for a brief hearing to enter his plea.
“I’m not guilty, your honor,” he told District Judge Catherine Parker with a serious look on his face, reporters at the court reported.
The 64-year-old was indicted earlier this week on charges that he accepted illegal campaign funds and thousands of dollars in luxury travel benefits from a Turkish businessman and an official in exchange for his influence as mayor.
Adams has denied any wrongdoing and said the public should not pass judgment until he delivers his defense.
“I follow the rules, I follow federal law, and I will not do anything to engage in illegal campaign activity,” he told a news conference.
Adams rejected growing calls from members of his own party to resign.
The former police officer was elected to lead America’s most populous city nearly three years ago on a promise to get tough on crime.
Prosecutors said Adams’ misconduct began while serving as Brooklyn borough president in 2014 and continued during the mayoral campaign and term.
In the 57-page indictment, Adams is accused of pressuring New York City Fire Department officials to approve the construction of the Turkish consulate building without safety inspections in exchange for discounted flights, luxury hotels and meals, etc. benefit.
Prosecutors say he also misused $10m (£7.4m) of public funds.
He is accused of using straw donors — a scheme in which individuals or entities evade campaign finance restrictions — to receive illegal foreign donations and match them with city funds meant for small donations from residents.
Despite calls from Democrats at the state and federal levels to resign, Adams has insisted he will remain in office while the case proceeds.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams. She said she needed time to review the indictment “to see what’s in it.”
Adams also may be ousted from the mayor’s office by the so-called “Incompetence Commission,” which is likely to include at least some city officials who oppose him.
Adams’ arraignment comes amid multiple federal investigations into his administration, which has seen a wave of resignations in recent weeks.
The police chief, health chief and the mayor’s chief legal adviser have all left their jobs, and school principal David Banks’ cell phone was confiscated.
