The mayor of New York Eric Adams has been indicted amid federal criminal investigations into his administration.
He is expected to be formally charged later today, although it is currently unclear what charge or charges he is facing as the indictment remains sealed.
It comes amid an FBI probe into the running of the largest city in the US and a string of unexpected departures of top officials.
Early this month, federal agents seized electronic devices from multiple top members of the Adams administration as part of what appears to be multiple, separate investigations.
Among the devices taken were those of New York’s former police commissioner, Edward Caban – who resigned shortly after – and his twin brother.
Agents also seized devices from the head of New York City’s public schools system, David Banks, who then announced on Tuesday that he planned to retire by the end of the year.
The mayor’s top legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, who had defended him at news conferences, resigned this month, saying in a brief letter: “I can no longer effectively serve in my position.”
US election latest: Trump says he would threaten to blow Iran ‘to smithereens’ if he were president amid death threats
Haitian immigrant group files criminal charges against Trump and Vance over Springfield pet-eating claims
‘I’ve made a whole record about her’: Lady Gaga still thinking about Harley Quinn at Joker sequel premiere
Adams himself had his phones seized by the FBI in November last year.
In a statement he said: “I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target – and a target I became.
“If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
The Democrat and former police captain won election nearly three years ago to become the second Black mayor of New York on a platform that promised a law-and-order approach to reducing crime.
He had spent 22 years in New York City’s police department before going into politics, first as a state senator and then as Brooklyn borough president.
But for much of the last year, Adams has faced growing legal peril, with multiple federal investigations into top advisers producing multiple subpoenas, searches and high-level departures that has thrust City Hall into crisis.
In recent days several senior Democrats have called for him to step down.
Adams has repeatedly said he wasn’t aware of any wrongdoing, dismissing speculation that he would face charges as “rumours and innuendo,” and vowing as recently as Wednesday afternoon to stay in office.
“The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what,” Adams said.
