As I watched the news unfold, I couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and validation. Eric Adams, the first sitting mayor in New York City's history to be indicted on federal corruption charges, had been accused of five counts of bribery, wire fraud, and solicitation of donations from foreign nationals. I had seen this coming.

During our 2021 mayoral debate, I had raised concerns about Adams' past corruption investigations. I had questioned whether he was the right person to lead the city, given his history of undisciplined and unprincipled behavior. Despite my reservations, I had hoped that he would prove me wrong once in office. Unfortunately, my concerns were warranted.

Adams' administration was plagued by cronyism and self-dealing. He had a habit of hiring close friends and associates for important roles, often without regard for their qualifications or capacity. This created an environment ripe for corruption, and it's clear that Adams took advantage of it.

The indictment is a damning portrait of Adams' alleged misuse of power. He is accused of accepting luxury flights and accommodations from the Turkish government and then attempting to return the favor. More troublingly, he allegedly solicited donations from foreign nationals, exploiting the city's donor matching program to further his own interests.

As someone who has run a campaign that emphasized transparency and accountability, it's disheartening to see a fellow politician succumb to the same temptations. The temptation to abuse power is always present, and it's up to each of us to resist it.

ANDREW YANG

The Corruption of Power

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