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What's Eric Adams up to now that he's not NYC's mayor? Becoming an Albanian citizen.
By
Brigid Bergin
Published Apr 10, 2026
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Justin Persaud/Mayoral Photography Office
By
Brigid Bergin
Published Apr 10, 2026
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Is Tirana the New York City of Albania? Former Mayor Eric Adams may soon find out.
Adams has been granted citizenship from the Balkan nation just 100 days after leaving office under a cloud of corruption and abysmal polling numbers. An official decree issued by Albanian President Bajram Begaj on Friday granted Adams citizenship "upon his request."
Euronews reported Adams has also received an Albanian passport.
“He loves the world,” said Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for the former mayor told Gothamist. In a statement, Shapiro cast the move as in keeping with mayoral duties that come with running a cosmopolitan city.
As mayor, Adams participated in an extraordinary number of flag raising ceremonies where he would describe “New York City as the [insert international city] of America.” The routine became a bit of a running joke, which Adams embraced.
But Adams’ affinity for travel abroad also became one element of a five-count criminal indictment for bribery and official favor-trading that alleged he accepted illegal flight upgrades from officials with ties to the Turkish government. The charges were dismissed at the request of President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice so Adams could cooperate with a federal immigration crackdown.
The case against Adams was dismissed just over a year ago “with prejudice,” meaning the former mayor cannot face trial for the same charges again in the future.
Mayor Adams at an Albanian flag raising ceremony in 2022.
Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
Adams’ associates, however, are not so lucky. His former senior adviser Ingrid Lewis Martin is due back in court next month on charges of bribery and money laundering. A restaurateur who is close with Adams was charged with health care fraud last week. A former Adams aide was accused of taking thousands in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for political favors. All have pleaded not guilty.
Adams faces an unresolved audit over his 2021 campaign fundraising by the New York City Campaign Finance Board, which in a worst case scenario could force the mayor’s campaign to repay all $10 million in public matching funds it received.
“The CFB does not comment on ongoing audits or investigations,” said Amy Lebowitz, a spokesperson for the Board.
During his time in office Adams cultivated unusually close ties to Albania. After ending his re-election bid, the mayor took a four-day trip to Albania for meetings with government officials that he said were focused on tourism and business opportunities. The Albanian government covered the cost of lodging and ground transportation.
Adams’ son also competed in an “American Idol”-inspired contest in Albania in 2022.
Tagged
Politics
new york city
Brigid Bergin
Brigid Bergin is an award-winning senior reporter on the People and Power desk. She is fiercely committed to telling stories that help people engage and support democracy. In 2022, she hosted a live, ten-week call-in politics show ahead of the midterm elections called The People's Guide to Power. Brigid's reporting in 2017 included some of the first coverage of a political newcomer now known as AOC. In 2016, she broke the news of a voter purge in Brooklyn just days before New York’s presidential primary, triggering city, state and federal investigations. Brigid also guest hosts The Brian Lehrer Show and All Of It. She graduated from the University at Albany and the CUNY Newmark School of Journalism. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-723-4719.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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