The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan alleges in the indictment that Adams "compounded his gains" from the illegal contributions by gaming the city's matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small dollar donations.
Adams is expected to be arraigned on the indictment before a federal magistrate at noon Friday, according to the court.
After the indictment was unsealed, reaction started to pour in from both local and national leaders.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul calls on Mayor Adams to "find appropriate path forward"
Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Mayor Adams from office, said in a statement that she "carefully reviewed" the indictment on Thursday, in what she called "an extraordinarily difficult day for New York City."
While she did not call on Adams to resign, she said, "It's now up to Mayor Adams to show the City that he is able to lead."
She added that while she reviews her options and obligations as governor, she expects the mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and "find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well-served by their leaders."
"We must give New Yorkers confidence that there is steady, responsible leadership at every level of government," she said.
If Adams were to resign, he would be immediately replaced by Jumaane Williams, the city's public advocate
Williams, a Democrat, would then schedule a special election.
Williams made his first on-camera appearance since the indictment during NY1's "Inside City Hall" Thursday evening.
As a someone who's worked in criminal legal reform, Williams urged that "presumption of innocence is really tantamount," but says that he's preparing for every "eventuality."
In a statement, Williams did not explicitly call for Adams to step down but said "It is federal officials' obligation to prove their case, it is the mayor's obligation to prove to New Yorkers that there is a real plan and path to govern the city effectively and regain trust, and his time to show that plan is rapidly running out."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer comments on Adams' indictment
"No one is above the law, including the Mayor of New York City," the New York Democrat said in a statement. "The charges are serious, and the legal process should now play out speedily and fairly."
Speaker of the New York City Council: 'We will continue to monitor the situation'
At a news conference, Adrienne Adams, speaker of the New York City Council and a fellow Democrat who isn't related to the mayor, said she hasn't begun considering potential removal of the mayor from office. She said people charged with crimes are presumed innocent and have the right to defend themselves.
But, she added, "I ask the mayor to seriously and honestly consider whether full attention can be given to our deserving New Yorkers who need our government to be sound and stable."
Asked about removing the mayor, Adrienne Adams responded, "We are of course, like I said, very troubled by everything that's transpired. We are not prepared today to give an answer to that question. We will continue to monitor the situation, to be in talks with our colleagues both at city and state level as we all monitor the situation and see how this further unfolds."
Current Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso calls on Mayor Adams to put "New Yorkers first"
Current Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Brooklyn Councilman Chi Osse are asking Mayor Adams to step down. In a message posted on social media, Reynoso asked the mayor to put "New Yorkers first."
"Through this the mayor will see his inability to be able to lead," Reynoso said.
Before being elected mayor, Eric Adams had the title of Brooklyn Borough president, and also represented Brooklyn as a state senator.
Adams indictment draws differing reaction from Brooklyn
The White House responds to claims made by Adams about his indictment
The White House pushed back against claims by the New York City mayor that he was targeted because of his objections to the administration's efforts to address immigration and border crossings, saying the actions by the Justice Department were independent of politics.
"The president was clear, even when he was running in 2020, that he was going to make sure that DOJ is independent and the DOJ is handling this case independently," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at Thursday's briefing.
Adams' administration has been bogged down with attempts to house tens of thousands of international migrants who overwhelmed the city's homeless shelters, with Adams at odds with President Joe Biden over funding and a strategy to handle the influx of new residents.
Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries calls Adams' indictment 'a serious and sober moment for New York City'
Jeffries is the Democratic leader of the U.S. House and a New Yorker.
"Like every other New Yorker and American, Eric Adams is entitled to the presumption of innocence. That principle is central to the administration of justice in the United States of America," Jeffries said in a statement. "A jury of the Mayor's peers will now evaluate the charges in the indictment and ultimately render a determination. In the meantime, I pray for the well-being of our great City."
Former political science professor says the Adams indictment will cause a leadership vacuum
Douglas Muzzio, a retired political science professor from Baruch College with extensive knowledge of New York politics, said the indictment will cause a leadership vacuum at the highest level of city government as Adams tries to fend off the charges.
"Pretty soon entire departments are going to have gridlock, and as people are worried about their jobs, their future, the momentum of the city is going to slow considerably," Muzzio said. "The impact is going to be real and substantial, particularly with the mayor out of the picture and many of his commissioners have resigned, will resign or are under a cloud."
ALSO READ: What is Mayor Eric Adams charged with? Read the indictment
Federal indictment lays out charges against Mayor Adams
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