New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called a crisis meeting on Tuesday to weigh whether to remove Mayor Eric Adams from office following a series of overlapping scandals, the BBC reports.
A top prosecutor in Manhattan last week alleged the New York City mayor had asked the Trump administration to drop a corruption case against him in exchange for his cooperation on immigration enforcement.
Four of Adams’ top deputies, including the first deputy mayor, resigned on Monday after the Justice Department filed a motion to dismiss the criminal case against Adams.
The “alleged conduct at City Hall that has been reported over the past two weeks is troubling and cannot be ignored,” Hochul said in a statement.
“In the 235 years of New York State history, these powers have never been utilized to remove a duly-elected mayor; overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly,” Hochul said.
Adams was indicted last year for allegedly accepting gifts totalling more than $100,000 (£75,000) from Turkish citizens in exchange for favours. He denies the charges. The trial is scheduled for April.
But his administration has been plagued by staff departures and scandals since the charges against him were first announced. A number of members of his orbit have also been charged as a part of the investigation.
