New York City Mayor Eric Adams to stand trial on federal corruption charges – NBC New York

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is due back in court Friday as he tries to fight off federal corruption charges while fighting for his political future.

The Democrat is expected to appear at a hearing in Manhattan federal court at 2 p.m., where his lawyers will argue that the bribery charge – one of five counts against Adams – should be dismissed because it does not meet the federal standard for the crime. .

The indictment, which also includes wire fraud and conspiracy charges, accuses Adams of agreeing to $100,000 worth of upgrades and other luxury travel benefits and making illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign citizens who want to buy his influence.

In exchange, prosecutors say, Adams provided political favors that benefited the Turkish government, including speeding up the opening of a consulate building that fire inspectors had deemed unsafe.

Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and vowed to remain in office while he prepares his legal defense.

U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho gave the defense and prosecution every 20 minutes to discuss the matter.

Late Thursday, Ho rejected Adams’ request for a hearing on the mayor’s claims that the government was leaking information about the investigation to the media. The judge ruled that Adams and his lawyers had failed to substantiate these claims and that if any leaks occurred, the blame lay with the government.

As for the bribery charge, Adams’ lawyers in a memo last month called on Ho to dismiss the “extremely vague” charge, saying it seeks to criminalize “normal and perfectly legal actions” Adams took as Brooklyn borough president before he was elected mayor.

The years of flight upgrades and other perks he received were at best “classic awards” that recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings found were not subject to bribery laws if they were paid for past actions, according to the documents.

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors responded that Adams’ actions were clearly criminal.

“It should be clear from the indictment that there is nothing ordinary about a government official receiving more than $100,000 in benefits from a foreign diplomat that he took great pains to conceal, including by fabricating false documents to create the illusion payment. “, prosecutors wrote.

Judge Dale Ho is expected to hear arguments from each side on the motion to dismiss the charges. It is unclear when he will announce his decision.

At a hearing last month, federal prosecutors said they may bring additional charges against Adams and bring charges against others around him.

Several of Adams’s closest aides, including the police commissioner, the schools chancellor and several deputy mayors, resigned in recent months after federal investigators conducted coordinated searches of their homes in early September.

Adams maintains he can continue to lead the city effectively while fighting the charges.

But his political future remains uncertain, and several opponents have announced plans to challenge him in next year’s mayoral primary.

Earlier this week, Adams raised eyebrows after he repeatedly refused to criticize former President Donald Trump, refusing to say when he last spoke to the Republican nominee or whether he asked for a pardon if Trump wins re-election.