Politics
New York City Mayor Eric Adams charged with wire fraud, bribery and illegal foreign campaign contributions
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been hit with federal criminal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday morning.
Adams, 64, a former police officer who was elected nearly three years ago on a platform of tough-on-crime policies, is now facing increasing scrutiny amid multiple federal corruption investigations.
One key focus of the investigations is whether Adams’ campaign received illegal foreign donations, particularly from Turkey. Despite the mounting allegations, Adams has denied any involvement in wrongdoing and has rejected calls for his resignation. In a video released Wednesday night, following news of the indictment, Adams stated that any charges against him would be “entirely false” and “based on lies.”
Since taking office on January 1, 2022, Adams and his administration have come under growing federal scrutiny. The FBI raided the home of his chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, along with other campaign members last year. The investigation is believed to center on potential illegal campaign contributions from the Turkish government and other foreign entities.
The pressure has only intensified in recent weeks, leading to the resignation of several high-ranking officials within the Adams administration. The police commissioner, health commissioner, and the mayorโs chief counsel have all stepped down. Additionally, New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks announced his resignation after federal investigators seized his phones during a search of the home he shares with Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright on September 4.
WASHINGTON โ An Iran-linked cyber threat group known as Handala hacking group has issued new claims of an impending breach targeting U.S. federal systems, alleging that sensitive information connected to Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has already been compromised.
In a series of messages published on its Telegram channel, the group asserted that it had gained access to accounts associated with Patel and warned that additional intrusions were โcoming soon.โ
The posts included what appeared to be personal and professional materials attributed to the FBI director, alongside statements mocking U.S. cybersecurity defenses and describing them as ineffective.
The claims surfaced shortly after U.S. authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice, announced enforcement actions targeting the group, including the seizure of associated web domains and the offering of a reported $10 million reward for information leading to the identification or capture of its leadership.
Handala has also claimed responsibility for a separate cyber intrusion involving Lockheed Martin. However, the company has publicly denied any breach, stating that its systems remain secure and emphasizing confidence in its โmulti-layered information security architecture.โ
Federal officials have strongly condemned the groupโs actions. Both the FBI and the Department of Justice have pledged to pursue those responsible, vowing to โhunt down every actorโ involved in the campaign. Despite these warnings, the group has continued to release statements online, framing U.S. countermeasures as attempts to suppress its activities.
At this time, U.S. authorities have not publicly confirmed the validity of the groupโs claims regarding any breach involving the FBI or Director Patel.
The situation remains under close review as cybersecurity experts and federal investigators work to assess the credibility and scope of the alleged intrusions.