(WNY News Now) – A Manhattan judge has denied Mayor Eric Adams’ motion to dismiss the bribery charge against him, leaving his public corruption case to move forward.
A Manhattan federal judge on Tuesday rejected New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ motion to dismiss a bribery charge in a high-profile corruption case. Judge Dale Ho ruled that the indictment against Adams, which includes allegations of accepting luxury benefits from wealthy Turkish officials, is legally sound and warrants further proceedings.
The mayor is accused of accepting lavish travel perks, including cruises and hotel stays, from Turkish government officials in exchange for leveraging his influence to push for the early opening of Turkey’s Midtown consulate. The consulate’s opening occurred before the building was deemed safe by the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), prompting the bribery charge.
Adams’ defense team, led by attorney Alex Spiro, argued that the allegations lacked clarity and did not meet the legal criteria for bribery. Spiro contended that the accusations of “quid pro quo” were vague and described normal actions that public officials often take for foreign nations. He also claimed that, as Brooklyn Borough President at the time, Adams had no direct authority over the FDNY or the Turkish Consulate, making the alleged actions lawful.
However, Judge Ho disagreed, stating that the indictment sufficiently outlines potential bribery violations. He emphasized that public officials can influence individuals or organizations outside their direct authority, and federal bribery laws are designed to prevent such corrupt influences. The judge noted that whether Adams improperly used his position to pressure the FDNY is a matter for a jury to determine.
The bribery charge is part of a broader five-count indictment against Adams, which also includes allegations of wire fraud and illegal campaign contributions from overseas donors. The mayor has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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