Legal professionals for Eric Adams referred to as on a federal choose to toss a part of the New York Metropolis mayor’s corruption case on Monday – insisting Hizzoner didn’t take bribes when he pushed FDNY leaders to quick observe the opening of a Turkish tower.
The quickly filed movement argues that one of many 5 felony fees Adams faces – bribery – must be dismissed lower than per week after a federal grand jury handed down the bombshell indictment.
Adams’ protection staff additionally referred to as the remainder of the case introduced by the Manhattan US Lawyer’s Workplace “meritless,” and took a shot at former staffer Rana Abbasova, who is predicted to function the feds’ key witness.
“Despite the fact that the indictment reproduces quotes from messages, emails, and conversations for numerous other points, it does not allege any specific exchanges or conversations in which Adams and the Turkish official entered into this purported quid pro quo agreement,” his authorized staff wrote, whereas pointing to a latest US Supreme Courtroom choice that has weakened anti-corruption legal guidelines.
Federal prosecutors allege Adams, as de facto mayor-elect, pressured the fireplace division to hurry to open a brand new 36-story Turkish consular constructing with out a fireplace inspection in September 2021 in alternate totally free and closely discounted luxurious journey perks.
The indictment contains messages between Adams and the then-FDNY commissioner and particulars swanky flight upgrades and posh resort suite stays Hizzoner acquired from Turkish backers relationship again to 2016.
The bribery cost the protection needs to be tossed accuses Adams of accepting the posh journey bribes in 2021 and 2022 in alternate for leaning on the FDNY to push via the Turkish Home regardless of fireplace security considerations.
Adams can be accused of encouraging Turkish benefactors to funnel money into his 2021 marketing campaign via unlawful “straw donations,” and of fraudulently getting $10 million in public marketing campaign cash.
The primary-term mayor has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to combat the case. He has additionally resisted mounting calls to resign following the indictment.
The following listening to within the case, which has been assigned to District Choose Dale Ho, is about for Wednesday.
Adams’ legal professionals, together with high-profile legal professional Alex Spiro, stated in Monday’s courtroom docs that the US Lawyer’s Workplace failed to stipulate that Adams agreed to just accept any present particularly in alternate for exercising his governmental pull, calling the allegations “vague.”
The texts Adams despatched urging then-FDNY commissioner Daniel Nigro to assist be sure that the Turkish tower could be open in time for a go to from Turkey’s president are merely “innocuous” messages that don’t quantity to what are often called “official acts” wanted to make a bribery cost stick, the legal professionals claimed.
The movement argued that as a result of Adams was solely Brooklyn borough president on the time, he didn’t have the ability to order the FDNY to take motion in regards to the Manhattan constructing.
The previous NYPD captain had clinched the Democratic main for mayor months earlier and was anticipated to simply win the overall election in November towards Republican Curtis Sliwa.
“The government is effectively claiming that Adams used his potential future position as Mayor to exert pressure on officials, not the official position he actually held,” the movement reads.
“No precedent supports the notion that a candidate for office commits an official act by using her potential future powers to pressure an official to take some action.”
His legal professionals additionally argued allegations he acquired journey advantages throughout a visit to Ghana after the shiny skyscraper was opened might merely quantity to “gratuities,” which they stated would fall exterior the scope of bribery legal guidelines.
The movement accuses prosecutors of making an attempt to criminalize “routine interactions by government officials,” and claims the indictment “replaces measured ethics rules with the blunt force of federal criminal law.”
Adams’ legal professionals referred to as the remainder of the felony counts “equally meritless,” arguing all of them stem from “false claims” from a “self-interested staffer with an axe to grind,” in reference to Abbasova, a former aide and liaison to the Turkish neighborhood.
Sources have advised The Submit that Abbasova is cooperating with authorities and is a key witness.
Adams’ attorneys didn’t present any proof to assist their argument towards her — merely claiming that extra “will be revealed in the course of litigation.”
