Eric Adams denies charges in five-count criminal indictment
In addressing the accusations, his lawyer referred to it as the “airline upgrade corruption case.”
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — In Manhattan federal court on Friday, Mayor Eric Adams entered a not guilty plea to charges of participating in a prolonged conspiracy involving illegal foreign campaign contributions, wire fraud, and bribery.
“I am not guilty, your honor,” Adams stated in a flat tone while addressing U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker.
With this 22-minute appearance, Adams has become the first sitting mayor in modern history to plead to a criminal charge while still in office.
Federal prosecutors allege that Adams, a Democrat, accepted complimentary travel on Turkish Airlines, along with luxury hotel accommodations valued at over $100,000. These benefits are said to have originated from individuals linked to the Turkish government in exchange for illegal contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign. Prosecutors contend that Adams, while serving as the Democratic nominee for mayor, expedited the opening of the Turkish consulate in Manhattan as part of the bribery scheme.
The judge allowed Adams to be released under the condition that he refrain from contacting any witnesses or individuals mentioned in the indictment. Unlike many defendants, he was not required to surrender his passports.
During the 22-minute arraignment, Adams maintained a stoic demeanor, looking straight ahead as the judge elaborated on the charges against him. After the session, he stood up and offered a thin smile to one of the court officers as he left the courtroom.
Despite the unprecedented nature of the proceedings, the court appearance was largely routine, aside from the judge addressing him as “Mayor Adams.”
Adams' attorney, Alex Spiro, indicated his intention to file a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday, coinciding with the scheduled initial court conference for the mayor.
Outside the courthouse, Adams did not answer reporters' questions, remaining alongside Spiro with a serious expression as his lawyer affirmed the mayor's innocence.
“This case isn't even a real case,” Spiro remarked. “This is the airline upgrade corruption case.”
He echoed Adams' claim that federal prosecutors were specifically targeting the mayor, a sentiment reinforced by former President Donald Trump the previous day.
“They implied that somehow he’s disappointing people or that people ought to be disappointed in him,” Spiro stated regarding the prosecutors. “It’s not him doing this. It's the other government that everybody should be disappointed in, bringing this case against a sitting mayor.”
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
“I am not guilty, your honor,” Adams stated in a flat tone while addressing U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker.
With this 22-minute appearance, Adams has become the first sitting mayor in modern history to plead to a criminal charge while still in office.
Federal prosecutors allege that Adams, a Democrat, accepted complimentary travel on Turkish Airlines, along with luxury hotel accommodations valued at over $100,000. These benefits are said to have originated from individuals linked to the Turkish government in exchange for illegal contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign. Prosecutors contend that Adams, while serving as the Democratic nominee for mayor, expedited the opening of the Turkish consulate in Manhattan as part of the bribery scheme.
The judge allowed Adams to be released under the condition that he refrain from contacting any witnesses or individuals mentioned in the indictment. Unlike many defendants, he was not required to surrender his passports.
During the 22-minute arraignment, Adams maintained a stoic demeanor, looking straight ahead as the judge elaborated on the charges against him. After the session, he stood up and offered a thin smile to one of the court officers as he left the courtroom.
Despite the unprecedented nature of the proceedings, the court appearance was largely routine, aside from the judge addressing him as “Mayor Adams.”
Adams' attorney, Alex Spiro, indicated his intention to file a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday, coinciding with the scheduled initial court conference for the mayor.
Outside the courthouse, Adams did not answer reporters' questions, remaining alongside Spiro with a serious expression as his lawyer affirmed the mayor's innocence.
“This case isn't even a real case,” Spiro remarked. “This is the airline upgrade corruption case.”
He echoed Adams' claim that federal prosecutors were specifically targeting the mayor, a sentiment reinforced by former President Donald Trump the previous day.
“They implied that somehow he’s disappointing people or that people ought to be disappointed in him,” Spiro stated regarding the prosecutors. “It’s not him doing this. It's the other government that everybody should be disappointed in, bringing this case against a sitting mayor.”
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
