Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams granted Albanian citizenship following tenure marked by federal scandal

Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams is now a citizen of Albania. Read about the presidential decree, the dismissal of his corruption case, and the shift at City Hall.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 10:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Guardian

Presidential Decree Solidifies International Ties

In a notable shift toward international engagement following his departure from New York City Hall, Eric Adams was granted citizenship by the Republic of Albania on April 10, 2026. The decree, signed by President Bajram Begaj and published in the nation’s official gazette, authorizes the immediate issuance of a passport to the 65-year-old former police captain. Adams reportedly requested the citizenship following an official visit to Tirana in late 2025, where he praised the capital as a "city moving in the right direction." His spokesperson, Todd Shapiro, characterized the honor as a reflection of a "deep and lasting bond" between New York and the Albanian community.

The Troubled End of a Mayoral Tenure

Adams’ transition to dual citizenship comes in the wake of a tumultuous final year as the 110th Mayor of New York. In early 2025, a federal corruption case—charging Adams with bribery and wire fraud related to campaign donations from Turkish officials—was unceremoniously dismissed with prejudice by the U.S. Department of Justice. The dismissal, facilitated by the incoming Trump administration, was framed as a strategic move to ensure Adams could assist with federal immigration enforcement priorities. The decision sparked high-level resignations within the Justice Department and led to a "quid pro quo" investigation by internal monitors.

A Historic Shift at City Hall

Following the dismissal of his charges, Adams withdrew from the Democratic primary and unsuccessfully sought re-election as an independent. He eventually endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo, but both were defeated by Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who was sworn in as New York City’s first Muslim mayor on January 1, 2026. During the transition, Mamdani’s administration ceased its legal representation of Adams in a civil sexual assault lawsuit. The litigation, filed by Lorna Beach-Mathura, alleges that Adams demanded sexual favors in exchange for career advancement in 1993, an accusation the former mayor continues to deny.