Judge denies request to dismiss bribery charge against NYC Mayor Eric Adams made by his lawyers.
In a recent development in the corruption case involving Mayor Eric Adams, a federal judge has rejected a motion by his legal team to dismiss a bribery charge against him. The judge, Dale E. Ho, issued a 30-page order denying the request, stating that the prosecution’s case met the federal definition of bribery. The charge stems from allegations that Mr. Adams accepted luxury travel from the Turkish government in exchange for pressuring Fire Department officials to approve the opening of a high-rise consulate building in Manhattan.
Despite arguments from Mr. Adams’s lawyers citing recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that raised the standard for bringing corruption cases, Judge Ho determined that the indictment was sufficient. While acknowledging the evolving application of the law, he emphasized that any concerns about the timing of the alleged benefits and actions should be addressed during the trial. The Supreme Court rulings could present challenges for the government’s case as the legal proceedings move forward.
The U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York brought charges against Mr. Adams in September, marking him as the first sitting mayor in modern New York City history to face criminal allegations. The indictment highlights the alleged pressure exerted by Mr. Adams on Fire Department officials to expedite the opening of the Turkish consulate building, which had faced safety concerns causing delays. Prosecutors claimed that the officials feared losing their jobs if they did not comply with Mr. Adams’s requests, as he was poised to become the next mayor after winning the Democratic primary.
This development underscores the seriousness of the allegations against Mayor Eric Adams and sets the stage for a trial where the bribery charge will be a focal point of the proceedings. The legal landscape surrounding corruption cases continues to evolve, with recent court decisions influencing the standards for prosecuting such offenses. As the case unfolds, the government will face the challenge of meeting these heightened legal thresholds to secure a conviction against Mr. Adams.
Source: The NY Times
