The legal saga surrounding New York Mayor Eric Adams continues as some believe he should resign amid a federal corruption indictment recently filed against him.
A recent poll appeared to reveal that two-thirds of New Yorkers believe he should step down as mayor, which seems to indicate that the allegations that the mayor accepted bribes from Turkish businessmen in exchange for political favors are taking a toll.
The Marist poll showed that 69 percent of New York residents believe Adams should resign, with 65 percent believe he broke the law. The poll was conducted shortly after he was charged with bribery and wire fraud.
Adams has maintained his innocence and addressed the poll results during a recent public appearance. “They saw one side of the story, so of course, they’re going to have that feeling.” He said, “We’re going to see both sides of the story, and that is what I’m looking forward to sharing with New Yorkers.”
Nevertheless, despite his efforts to downplay the accusations, his approval rating has plummeted to 26 percent, a significant drop from 37 percent in previous polls. The poll also showed that 63 percent of New Yorkers believe Gov. Kathy Hochul should begin the process of removing Adams if he does not voluntarily resign.
The allegations have caused rifts within New York’s black political community, which has been a strong base of support for Adams. The Associated Press highlighted how black leaders in the city are grappling with the implications of the indictment.
Rev. Al Sharpton, a close ally of the mayor warned against rushing to judgment, urging residents to wait for the facts to come out. “We also shouldn’t rush and throw everybody under the bus because of accusations,” he said.
Other black leaders, such as former Assemblymember Michael Blake, have been more critical of the mayor. He argued that Adams’ situation “[c]annot be the standard,” and claimed the sentiment among many elected officials is that the situation is “chaotic and unsustainable.”
On the other side of the coin, Adams’ supporters argue that he deserves the presumption of innocence.
Yet, it appears Adams could be facing even more legal problems. During a court hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors suggested that additional charges and defendants could emerge as the investigation continues, according to ABC News. Prosecutor Hagan Scotten noted that the investigation began in 2021, before Adams took office. He said the evidence shows that he tried to “create the illusion” that he had paid for certain flights when he had not. Scotten also accused Adams of witness tampering, citing a “significant instance of witness interference in this case.”
Adams still remains defiant, vowing to fight the charges and insisting that he will continue to serve as mayor. Alex Spiro, the mayor’s lawyer, slammed the prosecution’s case, stating, “This is the sort of nonsense that prosecutors say when they don’t have a real case.”
Mayor Adams’ legal battle is far from over. With public opinion turning against him, the future of his administration remains uncertain. While he remains defiant, New Yorkers await the next developments in this ongoing saga.
