The last few days have been rough for Mayor Eric L. Adams. Although he was accustomed to press leaks over the last year – the innuendo and narrative that he was corrupt – it must still have been shocking to be the Mayor and learn of an indictment at the same time as everyone else. The situation has been stressful for all other New Yorkers as well. No one wants a corrupt leader.
For months, Mayor Adams has consistently refused to answer questions while a Federal investigation pertaining to unknown charges has been underway. He has been very respectful of the “review” as he calls it. Despite raids and subpoenas of staffers and associates, Adams has remained silent, other than to encourage cooperation with the investigators.
This historic 57-page indictment, unsealed on Thursday, September 26, accuses the Mayor of five charges. The document sets forth a decade’s worth of allegations and provides supportive evidence. The relevant time period commenced prior to Mr. Adams becoming Mayor, during his time as Brooklyn Borough President, and continues into his Mayoral term.
According to United States law, anyone and everyone charged with criminal offenses is to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Prosecutors are responsible for proving that individuals are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, in accordance with laws and procedures administered by courts. In this case, like all others, Mayor Adams is an innocent man until and unless he is tried and found guilty – and only then.
Eric Leroy Adams deserves the same presumption of innocence afforded to U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, who were each impeached by Congress but did not resign their office, as well as other politicians who were charged with crimes and did not resign their positions. In some cases, office holders were acquitted.
Looking objectively, Mayor Adams has a track record in office that is as good or better than his predecessor. He managed a historic crisis involving hundreds of thousands of displaced migrants and millions of emergency dollars. He helped New York City rebound from the loss of jobs and businesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In general, he appointed capable Commissioners and provided new and stronger support for smaller and minority-owned businesses. The Mayor can rightfully claim that, despite some headline stories, New York City has become one of the safest big cities in the nation, if not the safest big city.
Panic and hysteria do not become New Yorkers and the charges against Mayor Adams are not like the charges against Sean Puffy Combs. There is no reason to believe that the City will stop working while this investigation moves forward – as it should. Work is getting done and challenges are being addressed. Any disruptions due to “regime change” should be minimized, and that means that everyone needs to calm down and proceed in a sensible manner – including the media.
Eric Leroy Adams is innocent until proven guilty. He should continue doing the work he was elected to do as New York City’s Mayor until either he is convicted of a felony, he himself believes that he is less capable of doing the job, or the voters choose not to re-elect him.
