Local elected officials rip Adams after arrest; latest example of political corruption

Hudson Valley elected officials are ripping New York City Mayor Eric Adams after he was indicted on Thursday on federal charges.

Adams is accused of taking illegal campaign contributions and bribes from foreign nationals, including lavish trips, in exchange for favors that included helping Turkish officials bypass overseas a fire safety inspection for a new diplomatic tower in the city.

However, even more concerning to Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden), is the continued trend of politicians and their aides being busted for corruption.

“Our public officials continue to erode trust within our communities,” Maher said. “Whether it is accepting bars of gold or inappropriate campaign donations from a foreign entity, our public officials should know better, and Mayor Adams should put the people of New York City first and resign immediately.”

James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office, had a stern message for elected officials after Adams was indicted.

“Today’s indictment serves as a sobering moment but also sends a powerful message to every elected official in this country: public service is a profound responsibility, and it should be a noble calling,” Dennehy said. “When that’s perverted by greed and dishonesty, it steals us of our trust. “This is a reminder that no one is above the law or beyond reproach.”

Adams faces conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery charges in a five-count indictment outlining a decade-long trail of corruption that began when he served as an elected official in Brooklyn and continued through his mayoral administration. Adams on Friday pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. New York City’s Mayor is the latest politician to be arrested for corruption.

Democratic New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was convicted in July on charges that he used his influence to interfere in three different state and federal criminal investigations to protect the businessmen. He was also convicted of taking actions that benefited Egypt’s government in exchange for bribes. FBI agents allege that they found stacks of gold bars and $480,000 hidden in Menendez’s house.

Earlier this month, a former aide to Governor Kathy Hochul and accused of acting as an agent for China. Linda Sun had worked for the Executive Chamber for more than a decade before her arrest. She served in top positions for both former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Governor Hochul.

Sadly, this week, former Orange County Court Judge and prosecutor Stewart Rosenwasser took his own life to his Campbell Hall home as the FBI arrived to arrest him. It is alleged that Rosenwasser accepted at least approximately $63,000 in bribe payments to use his influence and authority to prosecute two individuals.

Meanwhile, in Orange County, the FBI issued subpoenas in January of 2024 and since have interviewed current and former employees of Orange County government, including high-level management and rank-and-file staff on a range of matters said to include vendor contracts and purchasing dating back to at least the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago.

Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19) believes it’s time for Adams to step aside as well. “New Yorkers want safety and affordability. Instead, Mayor Eric Adams gave us migrant bussing, more crime, and corruption,” he said.