New York City Mayor Eric Adams will stand trial on federal corruption charges starting April 21, 2025, a judge announced Friday.
That date upset the defense, which was arguing for a timetable that could end the trial no later than early April to accommodate “very, serious Democratic concerns,” namely the mayor’s re-election campaign.
The defense argued that Adams needed a resolution to the criminal case before New York’s election in the spring.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams leaves the U.S. federal courthouse in New York, Friday, November 1, 2024.
Kena Betancur/AP
“There comes a point in early April when people know who is on the ballot,” defense attorney Alex Spiro said during a hearing Friday. “Either he runs with that over his head or he runs with that.”
Judge Dale Ho said he appreciated the value of a speedy trial “that every defendant has, but particularly the one that Mayor Adams gave in the election cycle.”
“But I also have to be realistic about what I think I can do,” he continued.
Adams has pleaded not guilty to a five-count indictment that accused him of accepting years of luxury travel gifts in exchange for, among other things, persuading firefighters to approve the he opening of the new Turkish consulate in Manhattan despite persistent security concerns from inspectors.
Defense seeks to have corruption charges dropped
The defense argued during Friday’s hearing that the bribery charge should be dismissed because the alleged conduct did not meet the legal definition of corruption.
As Adams silently observed the court, defense attorney John Bash argued that federal prosecutors failed to prove that Adams did anything other than negotiate meetings and arrange phone calls.
“The agreement has to be about something specific and has to be tied to the power of the government,” Bash said. “They had no agreement on any specific action.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrives at the United States District Court on the day of a hearing in his case on charges of bribery and illegal solicitation of a campaign contribution from a foreign national, in New York, November 1, 2024.
Kent Edwards/Reuters
The defense argued that Adams could not take official action on behalf of his Turkish clients because, at the time, he held a largely ceremonial position as Brooklyn borough president and not as mayor with authority over the New York City Fire Department.
“The pressure has to, in some sense, come from the government authority of the official,” Bash said.
Federal prosecutors disagreed. They argued that even though Adams had no authority over the firefighters, his position still gave him access.
“You don’t have to have a supervisory role to apply pressure,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten, calling the alleged corruption “as clear as day.”
The prosecutor argued that Adams knew that by accepting the travel gifts, “he was entering into a transactional relationship.”
Scotten said Adams was entitled at most to clarifying jury instructions and not an outright dismissal of the charge.
The judge has not yet ruled on the defense’s request.
