It was just one instance in a yearslong pattern that federal prosecutors are painting as a pattern of deception on the part of Adams and others in his orbit to conceal criminal conduct that includes fake paper trails, encrypted messaging apps and hidden fundraisers.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams finds himself at the center of a political and legal storm as he faces serious federal charges, including bribery and wire fraud. The indictment, which has captivated the attention of the city’s residents and national media alike,