NYC Mayor Eric Adams gets April 2025 trial date as his lawyers fight to get bribery charge tossed

I look forward to defending myself, New York City mayor Eric Adams, once *** rising star in the Democratic Party now faces *** five count federal indictment. The conduct alleged in the indictment, the foreign money, the corporate money, the bribery, the years of concealment is *** grave breach of the public's trust. Prosecutors say Adams sold his office in exchange for thousands of dollars in illegal donations from foreign nationals along with gifts, luxury travel and premium hotel rooms. Adams forcefully denied the allegations, the leaks, the commentary demonizing and I asked New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgments. The indictment lays out *** decade long scheme by Adams stretching back to his time as Brooklyn borough president. Since then, prosecutors say Adams solicited donations from Turkish nationals in violation of campaign finance laws. The indictment lays out *** number of alleged instances like one where *** staffer is communicating around *** potential $100,000 donation writing. I think he wouldn't get involved in such games. They might cause *** big stink. Later on, the Adams staffer allegedly responded, I'll ask anyways, Adams knew that these wealthy individuals could not legally donate in *** US election. Prosecutors allege Adams tried to hide the donations by funneling them through straw donors. The money multiplied by thousands of dollars in taxpayer funded matching funds once he took office, prosecutors say Adams used his power to pressure agencies to take favorable action to benefit Turkish officials. In one instance, the mayor directed the fire department to facilitate the opening of the new Turkish consulate which had failed to pass safety inspections. This building was important to the Turkish official and it was important to Turkey. Turkish officials under pressure from an impending visit by the Turkish president allegedly asked Adams to intervene. The building opened without incident. Prosecutors allege Adams took multiple trips to India, France, China and Ghana making critical stops in Turkey at one point, texting his partner, you know, first stop is always Istanbul during the trips, Adam stayed in luxury accommodations for free or at *** steep discount. According to prosecutors, he asked to pay *** nominal fee for all of this in order to disguise what we allege were. In fact bribes. The indictment also lays out how Adams would keep with an email that suggested that he left at *** minimum. Well, over $10,000 in cash in the Adams schedulers desk drawer to send to Turkish Airlines. When he learned federal prosecutors were investigating. Adams allegedly tried to conceal the evidence, directing staffers to delete messages. Federal agents spent more than three hours inside Adams's residence. This Morning Adams was named in the indictment. But since news of the investigations and impending charges broke into the open, several officials have tendered their resignations leaving critical agencies without steady leaders from here. My attorneys will take care of the case so I can take care of the city.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams returned to court Friday, sitting stoically as his lawyers fought to eliminate a key charge in the federal corruption indictment that threatens his political future.The Democrat is fighting to throw out a bribery charge, one of five counts in a case that U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho said will go to trial April 21, 2025, in the thick of Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� promised reelection campaign.The mayor바카라 게임 웹사이트�s lawyers argued at a Manhattan federal court hearing that the bribery charge doesn't meet the federal standard of a crime and is 바카라 게임 웹사이트�insufficiently specific,바카라 게임 웹사이트� particularly after recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions redefined how it is prosecuted.바카라 게임 웹사이트�The prosecutor for the United States had trouble defining what the 바카라 게임 웹사이트�quo바카라 게임 웹사이트� is here,바카라 게임 웹사이트� Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� lawyer John Bash argued, referring to the concept of a 바카라 게임 웹사이트�quid pro quo,바카라 게임 웹사이트� a Latin phrase that essentially means 바카라 게임 웹사이트�something for something.바카라 게임 웹사이트�Prosecutors countered that Adams' lawyers were splitting hairs because, they allege, Adams was taking bribes and exerting influence while holding a prior elected office and as he anticipated becoming mayor.Ho said he would take the arguments 바카라 게임 웹사이트�under advisement and attempt to rule shortly."Prosecutors also disclosed Friday that they바카라 게임 웹사이트�ve searched through nearly two-dozen electronic devices seized in the investigation but still haven바카라 게임 웹사이트�t been able to access Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� personal cellphone and weren바카라 게임 웹사이트�t sure they would. According to his indictment, Adams changed his password just before giving the phone to authorities, then claimed he forgot it.The indictment, which also includes wire fraud and conspiracy charges, accuses Adams of 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 political favors that benefited the Turkish government, including pressuring the fire department in 2021 to approve the opening of a diplomatic tower that it had 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.Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and vowed to remain in office as he mounts his legal defense.Bash argued the alleged perks don't meet the legal definition of bribery because they predate his time as mayor and have "nothing to do with his governmental position.바카라 게임 웹사이트�Adams' lawyers contend prosecutors are seeking to criminalize 바카라 게임 웹사이트�normal and perfectly lawful acts바카라 게임 웹사이트� that Adams undertook as Brooklyn borough president before he was elected mayor.Under the law, prosecutors must show that Adams took bribes in exchange for using his official office to exert influence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten argued that Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� role as borough president 바카라 게임 웹사이트�gets him in the room, as it were, with the fire commissioner.바카라 게임 웹사이트�Ho wondered whether, rather than Adams' job as borough president, it was Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� impending move to City Hall that gave him the power to pressure the fire department.바카라 게임 웹사이트�It seems a little weird when the jurisdictional connection here is that he was Brooklyn borough president but that his ability to exert pressure extends from something else," Ho said.Scotten stood firm, arguing that 바카라 게임 웹사이트�if Margot Robbie gave him a call and was really persuasive,바카라 게임 웹사이트� the 바카라 게임 웹사이트�Barbie바카라 게임 웹사이트� actor and producer still wouldn't be able to influence the fire department without also holding an elected office.바카라 게임 웹사이트�He probably would've taken that call," Ho quipped, prompting laughter in the courtroom.Ho allotted the defense and prosecution each 20 minutes to argue the issue.The judge interjected with questions throughout the arguments, at one point asking Bash to consider whether prosecutors would be able to remedy their alleged deficiencies by providing additional details or allegations.바카라 게임 웹사이트�I바카라 게임 웹사이트�d hate to write the government바카라 게임 웹사이트�s superseding indictment for them, if that바카라 게임 웹사이트�s the direction they바카라 게임 웹사이트�re going to go,바카라 게임 웹사이트� Bash replied before launching into an extended discussion of the intricacies of bribery law.Adams broke from his solemn gaze and nodded along emphatically near the end of the two-hour hearing as another of his lawyers, Alex Spiro, warned the judge that holding his trial at the same time as next June바카라 게임 웹사이트�s Democratic primary would be a 바카라 게임 웹사이트�grave, grave democratic concern.바카라 게임 웹사이트�Ho said he바카라 게임 웹사이트�s confident the April 2025 date will hold, 바카라 게임 웹사이트�assuming nothing unexpected comes up.바카라 게임 웹사이트�Scotten said at a hearing last month that they are pursuing 바카라 게임 웹사이트�several related investigations바카라 게임 웹사이트� and that it is 바카라 게임 웹사이트�quite likely바카라 게임 웹사이트� prosecutors will seek a superseding indictment charging Adams with additional crimes. Scotten also said it is 바카라 게임 웹사이트�likely바카라 게임 웹사이트� additional defendants will be charged.Late Thursday, Ho rejected another defense attempt to chip away at the case, denying Adams' request for a hearing on the mayor's claims that the government has been leaking information about the investigation to the news media.The judge ruled that Adams and his lawyers failed to substantiate those claims and, if any leaks occurred, that the government was to blame.In court filings outlining their arguments, Adams' lawyers said the years of flight upgrades and other perks the mayor received were at most 바카라 게임 웹사이트�classic gratuities,바카라 게임 웹사이트� which a recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings found were not covered by the bribery statute if they were given for past acts, according to the filing.Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, responded that Adams actions were plainly criminal.바카라 게임 웹사이트�It should be clear from the face of the indictment that there is nothing routine about a public official accepting over $100,000 in benefits from a foreign diplomat, which he took great pains to conceal 바카라 게임 웹사이트� including by manufacturing fake paper trails to create the illusion of payment,바카라 게임 웹사이트� prosecutors wrote.Several of Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� closest aides 바카라 게임 웹사이트� including his police commissioner, schools chancellor and multiple deputy mayors 바카라 게임 웹사이트� have resigned in recent months after federal investigators executed coordinated searches of their homes in early September.Adams has maintained that he can continue to lead the city effectively while fighting the charges.But his political future remains fraught and several opponents have announced plans to challenge him in next year's mayoral primary.Earlier this week, Adams raised eyebrows after repeatedly declining to criticize former President Donald Trump, refusing to say when he last spoke with the Republican nominee or whether he was angling for a pardon should Trump win reelection.

NEW YORK —

New York City Mayor Eric Adams returned to court Friday, sitting stoically as his lawyers fought to eliminate a key charge in the federal corruption indictment that threatens his political future.

The Democrat is fighting to throw out a bribery charge, one of five counts in a case that U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho said will go to trial April 21, 2025, in the thick of Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� promised reelection campaign.

The mayor바카라 게임 웹사이트�s lawyers argued at a Manhattan federal court hearing that the bribery charge doesn't meet the federal standard of a crime and is 바카라 게임 웹사이트�insufficiently specific,바카라 게임 웹사이트� particularly after recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions redefined how it is prosecuted.

바카라 게임 웹사이트�The prosecutor for the United States had trouble defining what the 바카라 게임 웹사이트�quo바카라 게임 웹사이트� is here,바카라 게임 웹사이트� Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� lawyer John Bash argued, referring to the concept of a 바카라 게임 웹사이트�quid pro quo,바카라 게임 웹사이트� a Latin phrase that essentially means 바카라 게임 웹사이트�something for something.바카라 게임 웹사이트�

Prosecutors countered that Adams' lawyers were splitting hairs because, they allege, Adams was taking bribes and exerting influence while holding a prior elected office and as he anticipated becoming mayor.

Ho said he would take the arguments 바카라 게임 웹사이트�under advisement and attempt to rule shortly."

Prosecutors also disclosed Friday that they바카라 게임 웹사이트�ve searched through nearly two-dozen electronic devices seized in the investigation but still haven바카라 게임 웹사이트�t been able to access Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� personal cellphone and weren바카라 게임 웹사이트�t sure they would. According to his indictment, Adams changed his password just before giving the phone to authorities, then claimed he forgot it.

The indictment, which also includes wire fraud and conspiracy charges, accuses Adams of 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 political favors that benefited the Turkish government, including pressuring the fire department in 2021 to approve the opening of a diplomatic tower that it had 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.

Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and vowed to remain in office as he mounts his legal defense.

Bash argued the alleged perks don't meet the legal definition of bribery because they predate his time as mayor and have "nothing to do with his governmental position.바카라 게임 웹사이트�

Adams' lawyers contend prosecutors are seeking to criminalize 바카라 게임 웹사이트�normal and perfectly lawful acts바카라 게임 웹사이트� that Adams undertook as Brooklyn borough president before he was elected mayor.

Under the law, prosecutors must show that Adams took bribes in exchange for using his official office to exert influence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten argued that Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� role as borough president 바카라 게임 웹사이트�gets him in the room, as it were, with the fire commissioner.바카라 게임 웹사이트�

Ho wondered whether, rather than Adams' job as borough president, it was Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� impending move to City Hall that gave him the power to pressure the fire department.

바카라 게임 웹사이트�It seems a little weird when the jurisdictional connection here is that he was Brooklyn borough president but that his ability to exert pressure extends from something else," Ho said.

Scotten stood firm, arguing that 바카라 게임 웹사이트�if Margot Robbie gave him a call and was really persuasive,바카라 게임 웹사이트� the 바카라 게임 웹사이트�Barbie바카라 게임 웹사이트� actor and producer still wouldn't be able to influence the fire department without also holding an elected office.

바카라 게임 웹사이트�He probably would've taken that call," Ho quipped, prompting laughter in the courtroom.

Ho allotted the defense and prosecution each 20 minutes to argue the issue.

The judge interjected with questions throughout the arguments, at one point asking Bash to consider whether prosecutors would be able to remedy their alleged deficiencies by providing additional details or allegations.

바카라 게임 웹사이트�I바카라 게임 웹사이트�d hate to write the government바카라 게임 웹사이트�s superseding indictment for them, if that바카라 게임 웹사이트�s the direction they바카라 게임 웹사이트�re going to go,바카라 게임 웹사이트� Bash replied before launching into an extended discussion of the intricacies of bribery law.

Adams broke from his solemn gaze and nodded along emphatically near the end of the two-hour hearing as another of his lawyers, Alex Spiro, warned the judge that holding his trial at the same time as next June바카라 게임 웹사이트�s Democratic primary would be a 바카라 게임 웹사이트�grave, grave democratic concern.바카라 게임 웹사이트�

Ho said he바카라 게임 웹사이트�s confident the April 2025 date will hold, 바카라 게임 웹사이트�assuming nothing unexpected comes up.바카라 게임 웹사이트�

Scotten said at a hearing last month that they are pursuing 바카라 게임 웹사이트�several related investigations바카라 게임 웹사이트� and that it is 바카라 게임 웹사이트�quite likely바카라 게임 웹사이트� prosecutors will seek a superseding indictment charging Adams with additional crimes. Scotten also said it is 바카라 게임 웹사이트�likely바카라 게임 웹사이트� additional defendants will be charged.

Late Thursday, Ho rejected another defense attempt to chip away at the case, denying Adams' request for a hearing on the mayor's claims that the government has been leaking information about the investigation to the news media.

The judge ruled that Adams and his lawyers failed to substantiate those claims and, if any leaks occurred, that the government was to blame.

In court filings outlining their arguments, Adams' lawyers said the years of flight upgrades and other perks the mayor received were at most 바카라 게임 웹사이트�classic gratuities,바카라 게임 웹사이트� which a recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings found were not covered by the bribery statute if they were given for past acts, according to the filing.

Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, responded that Adams actions were plainly criminal.

바카라 게임 웹사이트�It should be clear from the face of the indictment that there is nothing routine about a public official accepting over $100,000 in benefits from a foreign diplomat, which he took great pains to conceal 바카라 게임 웹사이트� including by manufacturing fake paper trails to create the illusion of payment,바카라 게임 웹사이트� prosecutors wrote.

Several of Adams바카라 게임 웹사이트� closest aides 바카라 게임 웹사이트� including his police commissioner, schools chancellor and multiple deputy mayors 바카라 게임 웹사이트� have resigned in recent months after federal investigators executed coordinated searches of their homes in early September.

Adams has maintained that he can continue to lead the city effectively while fighting the charges.

But his political future remains fraught and several opponents have announced plans to challenge him in next year's mayoral primary.

Earlier this week, Adams raised eyebrows after repeatedly declining to criticize former President Donald Trump, refusing to say when he last spoke with the Republican nominee or whether he was angling for a pardon should Trump win reelection.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams gets April 2025 trial date as his lawyers fight to get bribery charge tossed

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