Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Year : 2, Issue: 11
ABC News: Lawyers for New York City Mayor Eric Adams have asked a judge on Monday to set an earlier start date for his federal corruption trial so he can “fully participate” in his re-election campaign.
Alex Spiro, Adams’ defense attorney, asked the court to begin the trial on April 1 instead of the previously set April 21 start date arguing the trial would sideline Adams “for the vast majority of his remaining reelection campaign, during many of the most important moments,” according to multiple media reports.
“And that this City’s voters can be rid of the distraction of this misguided indictment as they hear from and evaluate the Democratic candidates for Mayor on their merits,” Spiro wrote in his letter to the Manhattan court on Monday.
Adams’ lawyers had previously said they wanted the case to be resolved by the time the ballot is set for the Democratic primary election. Judge Dale Ho during Adams’ latest court appearance on Nov. 1 told defense lawyers while he appreciates “the interest in speedy trial” he had to be “realistic” about what he thinks can get done.
Adams lawyers have also tried to dismiss one of the federal bribery charges against him. They have accused federal prosecutors of leaking sensitive information to the press, Patch previously reported.
The mayor faces one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, two counts of solicitation of a contribution from a foreign national and one count of bribery, Patch previously reported.
Prosecutors allege Adams received benefits and perks from the Turkish officials, including free and discounted airline tickets and hotel accommodations.
The perks were worth more than $100,000, prosecutors said.
An October Marist College poll, showed that 69 percent of New Yorkers want Adams to resign, with 65 percent of people thinking Adams did something illegal, Patch previously reported.
The court has not yet responded to Adams’ request for a rescheduled trial date.
