New York Mayor Eric Adams’ indictment was unsealed on Thursday, Sept. 26, revealing he is currently facing federal charges of fraud and bribery.

According to the indictment, Adams has allegedly accepted bribes for almost a decade, since he served as Brooklyn Borough president. The most specific charge involves Adams accepting a bribe from a Turkish official in exchange for allowing a Turkish consular building to open without a fire safety inspection.

Multiple members of Adams’ administration have resigned since the indictment, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. Adams has refused to resign and pleaded not guilty in court. If convicted, the Mayor could face up to 45 years in prison. 

Adams’ insistence on remaining in office throughout the trial has puzzled many and called his ability to focus on his duties as mayor into question. 

“I don’t understand how any human being could manage to be involved actively in their own defense and simultaneously have the energy to run the city,” said Limudei Qodesh Co-Department Chair and facilitator of the Current Events Minyan Ruth Fagen. 

Adams has blamed the Biden administration for his indictment, labeling it as retaliation for his past criticisms of the President’s border policy. This bears some similarity to former President Donald Trump’s sentiments during his own New York trial, where he accused President Biden of weaponizing the criminal justice system against him.

“It’s human nature to blame other people for your troubles,” said Fagen. “I don’t think there’s any evidence that our federal justice system is biased in that way.”

The investigation into Adams’ alleged crimes is ongoing and could bring more charges against the Mayor. Adams’ trial is set to start on April 21. This will come only a few months before New York’s next mayoral elections, and multiple figures including former Governor Andrew Cuomo have expressed interest in running.