Pacific Press/Getty Images
- Eric Adams was indicted after a federal corruption probe, The New York Times first reported.
- Law enforcement seized devices belonging to some of Adams' administration.
- High-profile resignations include the public school chancellor and police commissioner.
Eric Adams has become the first mayor in modern New York City history to be indicted while in office.
Adams was indicted following a corruption probe that led to chaos in his office and a series of resignations, The New York Times first reported on Wednesday.
Details of the charges have not yet been made public but are due to be revealed on Thursday, per The Times.
The indictment follows a lengthy inquiry into the fundraising for Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign and whether it involved illegal donations.
Hans Pennink/AP
"It is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes. If so, these charges will be entirely false, based on lies," Adams said in a statement to The Times and New York Daily News.
The investigation has majorly impacted Adam's administration. Law enforcement confiscated objects from several high-profile individuals, including a phone belonging to David Banks, the public school chancellor, and devices belonging to the city's police commissioner, two deputy mayors, and one of Adams' advisors, Scripps News reported.
Meanwhile, several individuals have already resigned.
David Banks, chancellor of NYC's public schools system
David Banks, head of NYC's public schools system, became the most recent member of Adams' office to announce his departure on Tuesday.
Banks was involved in the investigation weeks prior when his phone was confiscated by police.
In a resignation letter cited by CBS, Banks, 62, said he informed Adams earlier this year that he planned to retire by December.
"After nearly 40 years of dedicated service to New York City's public schools, I have made the decision to retire at the end of this year. I want to thank Mayor Adams for giving me the opportunity to serve as chancellor, and I am immensely proud of the progress we've made together," Adams said in an online statement.
Dr. Ashwin Vasan, health commissioner
Dr. Ashwi Vasan, NYC's health commissioner since 2022, announced on Monday that he planned to resign before the end of the year.
"I want to thank Dr. Vasan for his service to New York City since the start of our administration," Adams said in a statement cited by Fox 5.
"His expertise as a mental health expert, coupled with his training as a public health professional, have proven indispensable to our city over the past two-and-a-half years as we've handled rising COVID rates, Mpox outbreaks, and a mental health crisis both on our streets and in our schools."
Lisa Zornberg, chief counsel
Adams' chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, announced her departure on September 15.
Zornberg was the lead attorney for the mayor and City Hall for just over a year.
"I am deeply grateful to Mayor Adams for giving me the opportunity to serve the city, and I strongly support the work he has done and continues to do for New Yorkers," Zornberg said in a statement cited by Fox 5.
Edward Caban, NYPD commissioner
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned on September 12 following speculation about whether he could stay in the role during the investigation.
"A short time ago I accepted the resignation of the NYPD commissioner, Edward Caban. He concluded that this is the best decision at this time. I respect his decision and I wish him well," Adams said in a speech.
"Commissioner Caban dedicated his life to making our city safer and we saw a drop in crime for 13 of the 14 months he served as commissioner."
He added that Tom Donlon, a former FBI and counter-terrorism official, would replace Caban.