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NYC Mayor Eric Adams to go on trial on corruption charges in April 2025

NYC Mayor Eric Adams to go on trial on corruption charges in April 2025

File photo of NYC Mayor Eric Adams.

Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City (NYC), wouldgo on trial on corruption charges starting April 21 next year, a US judge ruled on Friday (Nov 1).USDistrict Judge Dale Ho set the trial date at a hearing in federal court in Manhattan.

Adams, 64, is the first of the city's 110 mayors to be charged with a federal crime while in office. A report by the news agency Reuters said that at leastseven senior officials in his administration have resigned in recent months as multiple federal corruption probes engulf City Hall.

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Adams pleads not guilty

The indictment accused Adamsof accepting flight upgrades and other luxury travel perks valued at $100,000 along with illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence.

In exchange, prosecutors say, Adams performed favours benefiting the Turkish government, including pressuring the fire department in 2021 to approve the opening of a consulate that it deemed unsafe.

Adams held a different elected position at the time, Brooklyn borough president, but by then it was clear that he would become mayor, a report by the news agency Associated Press said.

Last month, Adams pleaded not guilty to the charges and vowed to remain in office as he mounted his legal defence.

Prosecutors have said that they still haven't been able tocrack a potentially crucial piece of evidence: Adams’ mobile phone.

As per his indictment,Adams changed his password just before giving the phone to authorities, then claimed he forgot it.

The arguments of Adams' lawyers

The 64-year-old's lawyers are fighting to throw out thebribery charge.

The lawyers argued that the charge did not meet the USSupreme Court’s recently narrowed threshold for the crime and shouldn’t apply to Adams because it involves allegations dating to before he became mayor.

“The prosecutor for the United States had trouble defining what the ‘quo’ is here,”Adams’ lawyer John Bash argued, referring to a “quid pro quo.”

(With inputs from agencies)