Travel benefits Eric Adam allegedly accepted: court documents

• Prosecutors allege that New York City Mayor Eric Adams solicited trips from foreign businessmen.
• Adams faces five criminal charges related to a federal corruption investigation.
• Here are all the luxury travel perks prosecutors say Adams accepted.

A grand jury indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams on five counts related to a federal corruption probe this week.

Federal prosecutors on Thursday unveiled a 57-page indictment against Adams, who is the first sitting New York mayor to be indicted while in office. Officials say the Democratic politician solicited $100,000 worth of luxury trips from foreign businessmen, including a Turkish official who spent nearly 10 years trying to “gain influence” with Adams.

Prosecutors alleged that Adams returned favors by approving documents for the Turkish House, a Manhattan skyscraper that houses the Turkish consulate. The then-Brooklyn president also agreed to refrain from commenting on the Armenian Genocide, prosecutors allege in the indictment.

In a defiant news conference Thursday, Adams denied the allegations against him and vowed to continue in his role as mayor, rebuffing calls for his resignation.

He is expected to be arraigned Friday, according to court records. If convicted, he faces up to 45 years in prison.

Adams faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery and receiving campaign contributions from foreign nationals; a wire fraud number; a bribery charge; and two counts of solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national.

“These upgrades and freebies were not part of a frequent flyer or loyalty program available to the general public,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said during a press conference Thursday. “As we allege, this was a multi-year scheme to buy favor for a single rising New York politician.”

As a city official, Adams should have disclosed the gifts and travel benefits, Williams said.

These are the travel benefits and luxury perks that federal prosecutors allege Adams has been requesting since 2016.

Flight to India via Turkey

In 2016, Adams flew from New York to India via Turkey and received two free round-trip upgrades to business class seats, prosecutors allege. Business is the highest class on Turkey’s national airline, Williams said.

The benefits were worth more than $12,000, according to the indictment. Adams did not publicly disclose the benefits, prosecutors said.

Flights to France, Turkey and China

In 2017, Adams accepted free business class tickets for himself and fellow travelers to France, Turkey and China, according to the indictment. While in Istanbul, Adams was accommodated in the Bentley Suite at the St. Regis, Williams said.

Those benefits were worth more than $41,000, prosecutors allege in the indictment. Adams failed to disclose them publicly, according to prosecutors.

I fly to China via Turkey

Prosecutors say Adams flew to China via Turkey in 2017. During the trip, he accepted two free business class tickets for himself and a companion worth more than $16,000, according to the indictment.

Adams did not disclose the benefits, according to prosecutors.

I fly to Hungary via Turkey

In 2018, Adams flew to Hungary via Turkey and accepted two free round-trip upgrades to business class seats worth more than $12,000, prosecutors allege.

Adams did not disclose the benefits, according to officials.

Flight and accommodation in Turkey

Prosecutors alleged in the indictment that Adams flew to Turkey in 2019 and accepted business class upgrades for himself and his companion, as well as a free stay at the St. Regis from Istanbul. Adams also enjoyed free meals, transportation and entertainment while in Istanbul, according to the indictment.

The travel benefits were worth more than $9,000 and Adams failed to disclose them, prosecutors said.

Canceled trip to Turkey

In 2021, Adams requested and accepted a trip to Turkey worth more than $21,000 before canceling the trip at the last minute, prosecutors said.

The canceled benefits included two business-class tickets to Istanbul, free or deeply discounted stays at luxury hotels and resorts, transportation, including a yacht, and tours and meals, Williams said during the press conference.

Adams did not disclose the trip, according to the indictment.

I fly to Ghana via Turkey

Prosecutors say Adams flew to Ghana via Turkey in 2021 and accepted free upgrades to business class tickets and other gifts during his layover in Istanbul.

The benefits were worth more than $12,000 and none of them were disclosed, according to the indictment.