SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — New York’s governor was participating in an event at Cicero-North Syracuse High School Thursday morning at the exact time a federal indictment was unsealed charging New York City Mayor Eric Adams with five criminal counts.
Her whereabouts are relevant because Governor Hochul has a unique role in the future of New York City’s mayorship. The city charter allows New York State’s governor to unseat New York City’s mayor.
Hochul spoke with reporters, some of whom traveled from New York City, after the event.
“My staff informed me that just a few moments ago, while I was involved in this important conversation, that an indictment has been unsealed,” Hochul said.
“It is shocking in its scale,” she said, “We’re deeply concerned.”
Hochul refrained from most other comments, citing having not yet read the indictment.
“I am an attorney,” Hochul said. “I’m going to want to read this myself and absorb the material embedded within it.”
“I’m not going to send any indication at this time of what I’m going to do, because that would be absolutely irresponsible of me,” Hochul said.