Bill Maher suggests Eric Adams is being treated roughly: ‘They’re being a little harsh on him’

“Real Time” host Bill Maher suggested that the federal indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams for the alleged crimes is “a little harsh.”

“I’m so amazed – not that politicians can be bribed, but that they can be bribed so cheaply,” Maher reacted on Friday evening.

The Democratic mayor is blamed Obtaining illegal campaign contributions This emerges from a 57-page indictment that was unsealed on Thursday. As part of the conspiracy, he is alleged to have defrauded taxpayers of $10 million over the past decade, often taking free or heavily discounted vacations financed by his foreign patrons.

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His guest, author and commentator Fran Lebowitz, mocked Adams for allegedly asking for business class airline tickets.

“Eric, you’re stealing! First class! Why business class?” Lebowitz joked.

“But considering the crime is so petty, don’t you think they’re being a little too harsh on him?” Maher asked.

“No, he’s the mayor of New York. “No,” Lebowitz replied.

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“Yes I know. I’m not making excuses,” Maher said. “I have seen politicians do something worse. For example, they tried to overthrow the government of the United States.”

“I don’t know if there is that level of outrage from everyone who is so shocked and horrified and this is the worst thing that has ever happened. “It’s a little exaggerated,” Maher added.

“Real Time” host Bill Maher suggested that the Justice Department is “a little harsh” on New York City Mayor Eric Adams. (Screenshot/HBO)

Adams released a video statement in which he said all charges against him were “completely false and based on lies,” and he suggested that his criticism of the Biden administration’s disastrous border policies made him a target of retaliation.

“The federal government has taken no action as its broken immigration policies have overwhelmed our protection system without any remedy,” he said in a video statement. “I put the people of New York above party and politics.”

Investigators disputed claims that the case was a political retaliation during a news conference Thursday.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams and attorney Alex Spiro leave federal court after Adams was arraigned in Lower Manhattan, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Adams faces five federal charges, including alleged conspiracy, wire fraud and two counts of solicitation of a donation from a foreign national and bribery. (Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)

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The mayor is charged with one count of conspiracy to accept campaign contributions from foreign nationals and to commit wire fraud and bribery, one count of wire fraud, two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals and one count of soliciting and accepting bribes.

If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 45 years in prison.

Fox News’ Michael Ruiz and Maria Paronich contributed to this report.