Federal Prosecutors Challenge Mayor Eric Adams’ Request to Dismiss Bribery Charge

On Friday, federal prosecutors countered a motion from New York City Mayor Eric Adams to dismiss a bribery charge against him. They asserted that the allegations concerning a quid pro quo arrangement linked to luxury travel were clearly outlined in their indictment and emphasized that it is ultimately up to a jury to determine the facts of the case.

In a comprehensive 25-page filing, the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, based in Manhattan, firmly rebutted the mayor’s claims. They argued that the assertion that his actions were typical for a public official is fundamentally flawed. As stated in the filing, “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 — including by manufacturing fake paper trails to create the illusion of payment.”

This legal struggle marks just the beginning of what is anticipated to be a protracted and contentious battle between Mayor Adams and federal prosecutors, led by Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District. In September, prosecutors unveiled a five-count indictment against Adams that included serious charges of bribery and fraud. They have also indicated that additional charges may be forthcoming, potentially implicating the mayor and others involved.

Mayor Adams has maintained his innocence by pleading not guilty to the charges. Furthermore, he has requested that the federal judge overseeing the case, Dale E. Ho, impose sanctions on the prosecutors, alleging they have leaked sensitive information regarding the investigation to the media. Prosecutors were anticipated to respond to these serious allegations later on Friday.