New York Mayor Eric Adams lost a bid to narrow his five-count federal corruption indictment as U.S. District Judge Dale Ho declined to dismiss a bribery charge related to luxury travel benefits from a Turkish official. The trial is set for April 21. The defense had cited a June Supreme Court decision in favor of an Indiana ex-mayor facing similar charges, arguing that Adams should not face the bribery charge. However, Judge Ho ruled that the charges were legally sufficient for trial, stating that whether Adams used his official position to pressure the fire department was a matter for the jury to decide.
Adams, 64, has pleaded not guilty to bribery, two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, wire fraud, and wire fraud conspiracy. The charges stem from allegations that Adams accepted over $90,000 in discounted luxury hotel stays and flight upgrades from Turkish officials in exchange for pressuring the fire department to approve the opening of a new consulate in Manhattan in 2021.
Adams, a former police captain, was Brooklyn borough president at the time, having already won the Democratic primary for mayor. He has resisted calls to resign and is preparing to seek reelection in 2025.
On Monday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested he might pardon Adams, claiming the mayor was unfairly targeted for criticizing President Biden’s handling of migration. Adams responded that he did nothing wrong and would pursue all legal avenues for justice. The judge also denied Adams’ request to move the trial date up to April 1 to avoid conflicting with the 2025 mayoral primary.
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