New York Mayor Wants to Move Up Trial Ahead of Election Campaign

Photo: Seth Wenig Associated Press New York Mayor Eric Adams

Jake Offenhartz – Associated Press in New York

Posted at 7:36 p.m.

• United States

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is seeking to move up the start of his trial on bribery and corruption charges so he can focus on his re-election campaign this spring.

In a letter sent to the federal judge on Monday, a lawyer for Mr. Adams, Alex Spiro, asked that the trial begin on April 1 rather than the currently scheduled date of April 23.

“An earlier trial date will ensure that Mayor Adams’ rights to a speedy trial are respected, that the mayor can fully engage in his re-election campaign, and that the voters of this city can free themselves from the distraction of this misguided impeachment as they hear and evaluate the Democratic mayoral candidates on their merits,” Spiro wrote.

Eric Adams, a Democrat, was indicted in September on charges that he accepted perks such as luxury travel and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official seeking political favors. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has insisted he will remain in office while he defends his case.

He is expected to face a contested Democratic primary in June, with several opponents already announcing interest in challenging him.

Requests for comment to the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan were not returned.

At a hearing earlier this month, prosecutors said they would be ready for trial as soon as it is scheduled, but noted that they were still sifting through reams of seized records and had not yet accessed Mayor Adams’ personal cellphone. According to his indictment, Eric Adams changed his password just before handing the phone over to authorities, then claimed to have forgotten it.

In his letter Monday, the mayor’s attorney said he would waive access to some of the uncovered documents if it meant speeding up the trial date. Under the current timetable, he predicted a verdict would be in late May, giving the mayor only a short window of time to clear his name with voters.

“Given the realities of current events and the election cycle, this earlier trial date is not only feasible, but essential here,” Spiro wrote.

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