Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption case was due to go to trial on April 21, 2024. The court stated that he was considerate of the mayor’s want for a speedy decision before the June primary.
Judge Dale Ho stated during a Friday court session, “I think that’s the earliest date that we can realistically shoot for.” Before voting started, he added, he thought it was critical that the people “have an answer one way or another.” Ten days before the primary on June 24, 2024, early voting will begin.
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Adams was indicted on bribery and fraud allegations seven months before the planned trial date. Prosecutors have specifically charged the mayor with taking illicit gifts and travel benefits from Turkish authorities. He allegedly pushed fire authorities to expedite the opening of the Turkish consulate building in Manhattan in return.
Adams declared his intention to run for reelection and entered a not-guilty plea. In the history of contemporary New York City, he is the only incumbent mayor to face criminal charges.
Adams’ attorneys had urged that the trial should start in March or early April, possibly earlier. One of the two attorneys representing the mayor in court in the recent ruling, Alex Spiro, claimed that the indictment had seriously harmed his chances of gaining a second term.
Spiro remarked, “You can’t lead as an indicted man,” adding that everyone believes he is guilty based on surveys.
Adams’ attorneys’ attempt to have the bribery count—which has garnered the most attention of the five counts against him—dismissed was also heard by the judge.
Citing federal law and recent Supreme Court rulings that have made quid pro quo schemes more challenging to prove, the defense said that prosecutors had not shown enough proof that Adams accepted a bribe.
Mayor John Bash’s attorney argued the indictment did not specify what Adams consented to do in return for travel advantages. The prosecution’s argument that Adams attempted to affect the “regulation and operation” of the Turkish consulate, he contended, is overly general.
In addition, Bash deleted three texts that the prosecution used to show that the mayor exerted pressure on the fire commissioner to expedite the building’s opening.
The indictment mentions a correspondence the mayor made to the fire commissioner, stressing the significance of a special letter from the FDNY.
Adam noted, “They really need someone … by today if possible. If it is impossible please let me know and I will manage their expectation.”
“If this amounts to pressure, then anything does,” Bash noted in the recent ruling.
The prosecution said that their case satisfied the legal requirements for bribery. “The action is causing the FDNY to acquiesce,” prosecutor Hagen Scotten stated. According to the evidence, Adams was “leaning on the fire commissioner,” he continued.
On the motion, the judge stated that he would make a decision “shortly.”
A second request the defense made to look into their allegations that prosecutors leaked material to news outlets was denied by him before the hearing. He stated in a recent decision that the mayor’s team had not demonstrated that the articles’ material came from “Government attorneys or their agents, as opposed to other individuals.”
