NEW YORK, Sept 26, (AP): New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges, according to two people familiar with the matter, an extraordinary culmination to weeks of searches, subpoenas and resignations of top officials that have thrust the city’s government into crisis.

The indictment detailing the charges against Adams, a Democrat, was expected to be unsealed Thursday, according to the people, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The US attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment.

In a speech recorded at his official residence, Adams said he would remain in office, describing any charges he may face as "entirely false, based on lies.” "I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target - and a target I became,” Adams said. "I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit."

It was not immediately clear what laws Adams is accused of breaking or when he might have to appear in court. Federal investigators had seized Adams' electronic devices nearly a year ago as part of an investigation focused, at least partly, on campaign contributions and Adams' interactions with the Turkish government. Because the charges were sealed, it was unknown whether they dealt with those same matters.

The indictment was first reported by The New York Times. It marks a stunning turn for Adams, a former police captain who won election nearly three years ago to become the city’s second Black mayor on a campaign that stressed his working class roots and commitment to public safety. But as Adams has made reducing crime a cornerstone of his administration, he has faced growing legal peril, with multiple federal investigations honing in on his top aides and his own campaign.