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Gone quiet · last update Jun 24, 2026 / New York City

The corruption case against Eric Adams, from the FBI raids to its dismissal

Overview · reviewed October 28, 2026

Eric Adams, then mayor of New York City, was in September 2024 on federal charges that he took bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources.[1] He pleaded not guilty.[2] In February 2025, after Donald Trump took office, the Justice Department moved to drop the case, prompting the resignations of senior prosecutors, and in April a federal judge dismissed it while sharply criticizing the department.[3][4][5] Investigations of several of his former aides continued.[6][7]

Read the timeline

Follow this story to see new developments when you return.

He pleaded not guilty.[2] In February 2025, after Donald Trump took office, the Justice Department moved to drop the case, prompting the resignations of senior prosecutors, and in April a federal judge dismissed it while sharply criticizing the department.[3][4][5] Investigations of several of his former aides continued.[6][7]

Coverage over time

Share of tracked outlets · monthly average of weekly shares (UTC)

Oct 2023: average weekly share 12% (left 3%, center 4%, right 4%), from 1 of 1 weekNov 2023: average weekly share 6% (left 2%, center 2%, right 2%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJan 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksFeb 2024: average weekly share 2% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksApr 2024: average weekly share under 1% (left 0%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksMay 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJul 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksAug 2024: average weekly share 2% (left under 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2024: average weekly share 18% (left 5%, center 8%, right 5%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2024: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2024: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2025: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2025: average weekly share 11% (left 4%, center 5%, right 2%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2025: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2025: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2025: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2026: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksSep 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksOct 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 2 of 2 weeks, so far

LeftCenterRight

Each bar is the share of the outlets on our Left / Center / Right rating scale that we tracked publishing that week which carried reporting on this story, split by the outlets' ratings. Over more than two years each bar is a month: the average of that month's weekly shares, so the shape stays readable. The weekly table below keeps every week. We track more outlets now than in the archive, so a share keeps earlier and later weeks comparable. An outlet counts once a week however much it published, and outlets in one ownership or syndication group count as one on each side they appear on. A rating describes the outlet, not the report. A gap means no such reports were collected that week, not that nothing was reported anywhere. Weeks run Monday to Sunday in UTC, so a report published on a Sunday evening in US Eastern time counts in the next week. 9 more outlets off the scale (not rated, or outside the left-right graphs) also reported; they are not in this chart. See them.

Weekly counts, outlets and reports (21 weeks with coverage)
Outlets on the rating scale that carried this story each week, of the outlets tracked that week, newest first
Week of (UTC)LeftCenterRightOf trackedShareReceipts
Jun 22, 2026713323 of 4156%
Aug 18, 202585114 of 1917%
Apr 21, 202557315 of 2067%
Mar 31, 20251313834 of 20517%
Feb 17, 20251417839 of 19420%
Feb 10, 20251625748 of 21422%
Jan 27, 20253216 of 2233%
Jan 13, 202526412 of 2285%
Dec 16, 20243339 of 2264%
Oct 7, 2024512825 of 20512%
Sep 30, 202411191040 of 22218%
Sep 23, 202433382192 of 21443%
Sep 16, 2024212216 of 2098%
Sep 9, 20241017734 of 23015%
Sep 2, 202435917 of 2128%
Aug 12, 202439517 of 2178%
Apr 1, 20240156 of 2642%
Feb 26, 202445716 of 2566%
Nov 13, 20232338 of 2154%
Nov 6, 202313181344 of 23719%
Oct 30, 2023810927 of 23312%

Latest coverage

The newest reporting in this story's record.

  1. Jun 23, 2026 · first reported · Headline from FOX 5 New York

    Adams chief of staff arrested, ex-NYPD officials raided in sweeping bribery probe

Background

In November 2023, the New York Times reported that Mayor Eric Adams's 2021 campaign was under federal investigation over allegedly illegal foreign donations, and the FBI seized his phones.[8][9] Officials said the inquiry focused on campaign money, favors and possible foreign influence,[10] including business-class upgrades he received on Turkish Airlines.[11] In September 2024 FBI agents searched the homes of at least three of his top deputies,[12] Police Commissioner Edward Caban stepped down,[13] and the interim commissioner said federal agents had searched his homes as well.[14]

Read the full background (2 more paragraphs)

Early on September 26, 2024, agents seized Adams's phone at Gracie Mansion, the mayor's residence, hours before the charges were unsealed.[15][16] Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the first nationally prominent Democrat to call on him to resign,[17] and a Marist poll found almost 7 in 10 New Yorkers wanted him to step down.[18] His lawyers called the bribery charge "extraordinarily vague,"[19] and prosecutors said more charges were possible.[20] Top aides resigned, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks,[21][22] and a former city official was charged with witness tampering.[23]

Adams cultivated President-elect Donald Trump, meeting him in Florida in January 2025,[24] and his lawyer asked Justice Department leaders to drop the case.[25] In February the department ordered Manhattan prosecutors to do so.[3] Danielle Sassoon, Manhattan's top federal prosecutor, resigned,[26] as did other senior officials in New York and Washington,[4] and four of Adams's deputies resigned in the fallout.[27] On April 2 the judge dismissed the case, calling dismissal the only practical outcome while criticizing the department's reasons.[5] Adams's failed reelection bid is followed in the arc on the 2025 mayoral race. His former chief adviser was indicted in a separate bribery case,[6][28] and in June 2026 federal agents raided the homes of his former chief of staff and others in new corruption investigations.[7][29]

Supporting stories (29)
  1. Timeline of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption charge allegations
  2. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is due back in court in his criminal case
  3. Top Justice Department official orders prosecutors to drop charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams
  4. Full List of Prosecutors Who Have Resigned Following Trump's Attorney General's Order to Dismiss Eric Adams' Indictment
  5. Judge dismisses corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams
  6. Former top aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams accused of bribery, money laundering
  7. Chief of staff to former NYC Mayor Eric Adams arrested in federal bribery probe, AP source says
  8. Federal agents search home of a top fundraiser for New York City Mayor Eric Adams
  9. What we know about the investigations surrounding New York City's mayor
  10. NYC Mayor Eric Adams sets up legal defense fund amid FBI investigation
  11. FBI eyes NYC Mayor Eric Adams business class upgrades on Turkish Airlines in campaign probe
  12. FBI raids homes of at least 3 top NYC officials closely connected to Mayor Adams
  13. New York City police commissioner resigns after his phone was seized in federal investigation
  14. NYPD's interim commissioner says federal authorities seized materials from his homes
  15. FBI seizes NYC mayor's phone ahead of expected unsealing of indictment - The Union-Recorder
  16. FBI searches NYC Mayor Eric Adams' home Gracie Mansion, after he is indicted in federal case
  17. What happens if NYC Mayor Adams resigns, is forced out following indictment?
  18. Huge majority of New Yorkers want Mayor Eric Adams to resign following historic indictment: poll
  19. NYC Mayor Eric Adams deflects questions about bribery charges as potential witness speaks out
  20. Additional charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams 'possible,' prosecutor says
  21. Embattled Eric Adams deputy mayor resigns amid growing federal investigation
  22. Another official in NYC Mayor Adams administration resigns
  23. A former aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams is charged with destroying evidence as top deputy quits
  24. Eric Adams reveals details of meeting with Donald Trump
  25. Attorney for Eric Adams has contacted DOJ officials about dropping the case against him
  26. Who is Danielle Sassoon, the acting US attorney in New York who quit amid directive to drop Eric Adams corruption case?
  27. Four top New York City officials resign as turmoil ripples over Mayor Adams' corruption case
  28. As NYC mayoral election nears, Eric Adams’ associates face new wave of corruption accusations
  29. Former Mayor Adams chief-of-staff Frank Carone among 4 arrested in bribery case

The full record

Each date is when an update was first reported.

All 43 recorded updates

June 2026

  1. Former Mayor Adams chief-of-staff Frank Carone among 4 arrested in bribery caseHeadline from ABC 7 Chicago · 8 outlets
  2. Chief of staff to former NYC Mayor Eric Adams arrested in federal bribery probe, AP source saysHeadline from Bangor Daily News · 15 outlets

August 2025

  1. As NYC mayoral election nears, Eric Adams’ associates face new wave of corruption accusationsHeadline from CNN · 15 outlets

April 2025

  1. Three more prosecutors who worked on Eric Adams' corruption case resignHeadline from UPI · 15 outlets
  2. Judge dismisses corruption case against Mayor Eric AdamsHeadline from My9nj · 36 outlets

February 2025

  1. NYC Mayor Eric Adams' corruption trial indefinitely delayed, but judge won't dismiss charges yetHeadline from NBC News · 17 outlets
  2. Judge sets Wednesday hearing in motion to dismiss case against New York City Mayor Eric AdamsHeadline from Los Angeles Times · 6 outlets
  3. Four top New York City officials resign as turmoil ripples over Mayor Adams' corruption caseHeadline from MyNorthwest · 25 outlets
  4. Justice Department and New York City mayor face judge's scrutiny in bid to dismiss criminal chargesHeadline from MyNorthwest · 13 outlets
  5. NYC mayor and Trump border czar meet as feds turn eyes toward sanctuary cities like New YorkHeadline from CNN · 6 outlets
  6. Who is Danielle Sassoon, the acting US attorney in New York who quit amid directive to drop Eric Adams corruption case?Headline from CNN · 9 outlets
  7. Full List of Prosecutors Who Have Resigned Following Trump's Attorney General's Order to Dismiss Eric Adams' IndictmentHeadline from Latin Times · 22 outlets
  8. Judge to hear Trump DOJ’s argument for dropping Adams’ charges on WednesdayHeadline from amNewYork · 15 outlets
  9. Top Justice Department official orders prosecutors to drop charges against New York Mayor Eric AdamsHeadline from Anchorage Daily News · 17 outlets
  10. DOJ asks dismissal of Adams chargesHeadline from Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · 28 outlets

January 2025

  1. Attorney for Eric Adams has contacted DOJ officials about dropping the case against himHeadline from NBC News · 6 outlets
  2. Eric Adams reveals details of meeting with Donald TrumpHeadline from Newsweek · 13 outlets

December 2024

  1. Former top aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams accused of bribery, money launderingHeadline from NBC News · 10 outlets

October 2024

  1. A former aide to New York Mayor Eric Adams is charged with destroying evidence as top deputy quitsHeadline from WDIO Duluth · 12 outlets
  2. Adams staffer Mohamed Bahi charged with witness tampering: DetailsHeadline from FOX 5 New York · 5 outlets
  3. Another official in NYC Mayor Adams administration resignsHeadline from ABC 7 New York · 10 outlets
  4. Huge majority of New Yorkers want Mayor Eric Adams to resign following historic indictment: pollHeadline from New York Post · 5 outlets
  5. Embattled Eric Adams deputy mayor resigns amid growing federal investigationHeadline from ABC 7 New York · 10 outlets
  6. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is due back in court in his criminal caseHeadline from Washington Times · 5 outlets

September 2024

  1. Additional charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams 'possible,' prosecutor saysHeadline from ABC 30 Fresno · 14 outlets

Coverage & sources

Read the reports, see how much was collected over time, or compare outlets by political leaning.

Coverage & sources →