New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces trial in April 2025 on federal corruption charges

New York Mayor Eric Adams to face trial federal corruption charges starting April 21, 2025, the judge said Friday.

That date frustrated the defense, which had argued for a timetable for ending the trial no later than early April to address Democrats’ “serious, serious concerns,” namely the mayor’s re-election campaign.

The defense argued that Adams needed to resolve his criminal case by New York’s spring voting deadline.

“There comes a point in early April when people know who’s on the ballot,” attorney Alex Spiro said at Friday’s hearing. “He either runs with it hanging over his head or he runs with it.”

Judge Dale Ho said he appreciated the interest in a speedy trial “that any defendant has, but especially one that Mayor Adams orchestrated the election cycle.”

MORE: New York City Mayor Eric Adams could face additional charges, prosecutor says

“But I also have to be realistic about what I think can be done,” he continued.

Adams has pleaded not guilty to five charges in which he was accused of receiving lavish travel gifts for years in exchange for, among other things, persuading the fire department to approve the opening of a new Turkish consulate in Manhattan despite inspectors’ lingering safety concerns.

Defense tries to get bribery charges dropped

At Friday’s hearing, the defense argued that the bribery charge should be dropped because the alleged conduct did not meet the legal definition of bribery.

As Adams watched silently in court, defense attorney John Bash argued that federal prosecutors had failed to prove Adams did more than meet with brokers and make phone calls.

“The agreement has to be about something specific and about the power of the government,” Bash said. “They had no agreement on specific actions.”

The defense argued that Adams could not take official action on behalf of his Turkish patrons because he held the largely ceremonial position of Brooklyn borough president at the time, rather than mayor with authority over the New York City Fire Department.

“The pressure has to come in some sense from the government official’s power,” Bash said.

Federal prosecutors disagreed. They argued that even if Adams had no authority over the fire department, his position still gave him access.

MORE: Federal Investigation of New York Mayor Eric Adams: Corruption Investigation Timeline

“You don’t have to have a supervisory role to exert pressure,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten, calling the alleged bribery “clear as day.”

The prosecutor argued that Adams knew that by accepting gifts, “he was entering into a business relationship.”

Scotten said that at best, Adams is entitled to an explanation from the jury rather than a complete dismissal of the charge.

The judge has not yet ruled on the defense’s request.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces trial in April 2025 on federal corruption charges originally appeared on abcnews.go.com