New York City Mayor Eric Adams Faces Federal Bribery Charges A federal judge has upheld bribery charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, rejecting his lawyers’ attempts to dismiss the case. The indictment accuses Adams of accepting bribes from the Turkish government to pressure Fire Department officials to approve a high-rise consulate building in Manhattan.
This charge is one of five that Adams faces in a broader corruption case. Judge Dale E. Ho found the indictment sufficient despite recent Supreme Court rulings that raised the bar for corruption cases. The U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York indicted Adams in late September, marking him as the first sitting New York City mayor in modern history to face criminal charges.
Adams has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges related to his relationships with Turkish officials and businesspeople from 2015 to 2022. The indictment claims Adams accepted overseas travel benefits and illegal campaign donations to influence his actions. Specifically, the alleged bribery occurred from summer 2021 to summer 2022, involving luxury travel benefits from a Turkish official.
A federal judge said Tuesday that he won’t dismiss a bribery charge against Mayor Eric Adams because prosecutors described the allegations adequately in an indictment. https://t.co/bzJzOBvtI0
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) December 17, 2024
Defense Arguments and Judicial Response Adams’ defense lawyers argued that the indictment was too vague and that Adams did not exercise formal governmental power as required by law. However, Judge Dale E. Ho stated that federal bribery laws aim to prevent corrupt influence beyond direct authority. The judge’s decision underscores the seriousness of the charges against Adams.
Details of the Allegations The indictment alleges that Adams accepted over $100,000 in undisclosed gifts from Turkish businesspeople and officials. He is accused of using political influence to pressure fire officials for a temporary certificate of occupancy for the Turkish Consulate. Prosecutors claim that Adams threatened fire officials that they “would lose their jobs” if they did not comply with his demands.
Adams’ Response and Political Implications Adams has consistently maintained his innocence, stating, “I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target—and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams lost a bid to narrow his five-count federal corruption indictment as a judge declined to dismiss a bribery charge related to luxury travel benefits provided by a Turkish official, with the trial set for April https://t.co/OEiVsrUcwG pic.twitter.com/ET8rckGfAG
— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) December 17, 2024
Despite the charges, Adams plans to run for reelection next year. His trial is set for April 21, adding a layer of complexity to his political future and the upcoming election. Trump’s Potential Involvement In an unexpected twist, President-elect Donald Trump mentioned considering a pardon for Adams. Trump stated, “I think that he was treated pretty unfairly,” and added that he would “know the facts” before making a decision on a pardon.
As this case unfolds, it continues to generate significant political and public interest, particularly given Mayor Adams’ ambitions to secure another term. The controversy emerges amid broader claims of bias in judicial proceedings, further complicating the political landscape in New York City.
