New York Mayor Back in Court, More Lawsuits Considered

Photo: Alex Kent Getty Images via Agence France-Presse The 64-year-old Democratic congressman gave photographers a thumbs-up as he entered and exited Manhattan federal court.

Agence France-Presse in New York

Published at 1:40 p.m.

< li>United States

New York Mayor Eric Adams, indicted on bribery and campaign finance charges in a case involving Turkey, returned to court Wednesday, where prosecutors warned they were considering new charges against him or other suspects.

The 64-year-old Democratic lawmaker, who has so far ruled out resigning, gave photographers a thumbs-up as he entered and left Manhattan federal court.

The first mayor in New York history to be charged while in office, he pleaded not guilty Friday to bribery and illegal campaign financing, two days after a grand jury of citizens announced the charges.

A former captain of the New York Police Department (NYPD), Eric Adams is being prosecuted for being “showered” with gifts from Turkish entrepreneurs and nationals, and for failing to declare these gratuities, most often business-class air travel or stays in hotel suites.

In exchange for bribes, he also allegedly used his influence with the city’s fire department to speed up the opening of a skyscraper housing Turkey’s mission to the United Nations and consulate general in time for an inauguration with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in September 2021.

During the hearing on Wednesday, one of the prosecutors, Hagan Scotten, warned that it was “likely” that other suspects would be charged in the case, and that additional charges against Eric Adams were “possible,” according to US media outlets present in the courtroom.

Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, who has filed an appeal to have one of the five charges dismissed, called for a trial be organized before March, so that Eric Adams can be acquitted before the next Democratic primary for mayor of New York, in spring 2025.

Judge Dale Ho reserved his decision on a possible trial date and set a new procedural hearing for October 31.

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