Source: Stephanie Keith / Getty
The criminal trial for New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially been set to begin next April, with the judge reviewing other charges against him.
Last Friday (Nov. 1), New York City Mayor Eric Adams was informed by Federal District Court Judge Dale E. Ho that he would stand trial on corruption charges on April 21, 2025, during a hearing. Judge Ho is also reviewing whether or not Mayor Adams would be tried on a bribery charge or throw it out. He stated that he would rule on that at a later date.
Adams’ lawyers had been arguing for the trial to be held later, noting the upcoming mayoral elections next year. “In this city, with an election happening, the court should take into account that he is not just sitting here presumed innocent anymore,” attorney Alex Spiro said. “It doesn’t give him a realistic chance. If he still has this hanging over his head, that impacts the election, period.”
Spiro and other defense lawyers also argued that the prosecution didn’t meet the bar needed for the bribery charge, which stems from Adams’ involvement with the Turkish government as he ran for office in 2021. Lead prosecutor Hagan Cordell Scotten dismissed that request in court, pointing to Adams pressuring the Fire Department to sign off on Turkey’s consulate building despite safety concerns in exchange for luxury travel on their national airline. “Pressure,” Scotten said, “is one of the many ways to satisfy an official act.”
The scheduled trial date bumps up against the beginning of the primary season in New York City’s mayoral elections, and Adams is already facing a packed field of challengers. The embattled politician is also dealing with the fact that his $1.8 million fund for legal defense has been depleted. Mayor Adams has fended off calls for his resignation when queried by the press, and Judge Ho issued a warning to his legal team and the prosecution. “The parties are cautioned that this case is to be tried in the courtroom and not in the press,” he wrote.
