New York Times | Eric Adams Live Updates: Adams Is Charged With Bribery and Fraud
'The symbolism of Eric Adams surrounding himself with Black clergy outside of Gracie Mansion cannot be understated. Adams has tried to make the case that he is being targeted because he is Black. The indictment lists free trips and business class airline upgrades Adams accepted that were valued at more than $100,000. They included: A roundtrip flight from New York to India in 2016; free business class tickets for himself and two companions on roundtrip flights from New York to France, Turkey, Sri Lanka and China in July 2017; a steeply discounted stay at the Bentley Suites that he accepted that same month; free business class tickets for himself and a companion on roundtrip flights from New York to China in October 2017 and free upgrades to business class for himself and a companion on roundtrip flights from New York to Hungary in January 2018; and steeply discounted business class tickets, stays at a luxury hotel and resort and transportation that he solicited in June 2021...Adams continued to conceal benefits he received from foreign nationals seeking to gain influence over him, the indictment charges. In March 2019, while exchanging texts to plan another possible trip to Turkey, an Adams staffer texted Adams that “To be o[n the] safe side Please Delete all messages you send me.” Adams responded, “Always do.”'
Reference: www.nytimes.com
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