New York mayor pleads not guilty to shock corruption charges

NEW YORK: New York Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges of fraud and bribery in a case that marks a stunning downfall for a man once touted as a future Democratic Party star.

Adams, who appeared before a judge in a Manhattan federal court, is the first sitting New York mayor to be criminally indicted.

He is accused of wire fraud, soliciting illegal campaign donations and a bribery conspiracy involving Turkish citizens and at least one Turkish official. Judge Katherine Parker set the next hearing for Wednesday.

The allegations prompted calls for his resignation, but Adams has remained defiant, saying on Thursday that he is looking “forward to defending myself” and urging New Yorkers to “wait to hear our side of the story.”