Charges against New York's mayor challenge Democrats

Significance

Adams, a Democrat, becomes the first of the city's 110 mayors to be indicted while in office. The charges come with his police commissioner, first deputy mayor, deputy mayor for public safety and schools chancellor all under federal investigation, and his chief council, the city's top lawyer, having resigned.

Impacts

• The mayor's indictment is unlikely to impact the day-to-day running of the city.
• Federal officials say their investigations are continuing into Adam's political inner circle.
• The indictment says Adams received an additional USD10mn in matching public funds due to the allegedly illegal campaign donations.
• If convicted of wire fraud, Adams could face up to 20 years in prison; all the other charges carry at least five-year sentences.