The federal corruption trial of New York Mayor Eric Adams will begin next April, a judge ruled Friday, at the heart of his promised re-election campaign.
US District Judge Dale E. Ho set the trial date when Mr. Adams returned to Manhattan federal court for a hearing on his appeal to drop a key charge in the indictment that threatens his political future.
Mr Ho said he was confident that the April 21, 2025 deadline would be met, “assuming nothing unexpected happens”.
Prosecutors, for their part, said they still haven’t been successful in deciphering a potentially crucial piece of evidence: Mayor Adams’ personal cell phone. According to his prosecution, Mr Adams changed his password just before he handed the phone to the authorities, and said he had forgotten it.
Mr. Adams’ lawyers are fighting to dismiss the corruption charge, one of five charges against the Democrats at the start of his term.
They argued that the charge did not meet the threshold recently lowered by the United States Supreme Court for this crime and should not apply to Mr. Adams because it includes allegations dating back to a time before he entered the office as mayor.
“The United States Attorney has had trouble explaining what the ‘quo’ is here,” said Mr. Adams’ lawyer, John Bash, referring to a “quid pro quo ,” a Latin phrase meaning “something for something else.”
Prosecutors argued that Mr. Adams took bribes and used influence while in a previous elected position and intended to become mayor.
Judge Ho said he would take the arguments “under advisement and try to rule soon.” ”
The indictment, which also includes wire fraud and conspiracy charges, accuses Mr Adams of accepting US$100,000 worth of airline upgrades and other luxury travel perks as well as illegal campaign contributions. from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals who want to buy his influence.
In exchange, prosecutors say, Mr. Adams performed services to benefit the Turkish government, including pressuring firefighters in 2021 to allow him to open a consulate they were considered dangerous.
Mr. Adams held another elected position at the time, that of Brooklyn borough president, but by then it was clear that he would be mayor.
Mr Adams pleaded not guilty to the charges and promised to remain in office while he prepares his legal defence.
Mr Bash argued that the alleged benefits do not meet the legal definition of corruption as they predate his tenure as mayor and have “nothing to do with the position of his government”.
Mr. Adams’ lawyers argue that prosecutors are trying to criminalize the “routine and perfectly legal actions” that Mr. Adams took as Brooklyn borough president before he was elected mayor.
Under the law, prosecutors must prove that Mr. Adams took bribes in exchange for using his official position to gain influence.
Several of Mr. Adams’ closest aides — including his police commissioner, schools chancellor and several deputy mayors — resigned in recent months after federal investigators coordinated investigations to do on their homes in early September.
Mr Adams said he could continue to run the town effectively while fighting the charges.
However, his political future remains uncertain and several opponents have announced plans to challenge him in next year’s municipal primaries.
Earlier this week, Mr Adams raised eyebrows after he again refused to criticize former President Donald Trump, refusing to say when he last spoke to the Republican candidate or was he seeking a pardon if Mr. Trump was re-elected.
2024-11-02 00:24:00
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