New York City Mayor Eric Adams is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday to address allegations of bribery and illegal campaign contributions. The Democrat is facing accusations of accepting approximately $100,000 in free or discounted travel, accommodations, and entertainment from Turkish officials and businesspeople before his tenure as mayor.
Prosecutors claim that Adams received these perks in exchange for influence and also conspired to receive illegal donations from foreign sources for his political campaigns. The indictment further alleges that Adams assisted Turkey in opening a new diplomatic facility in the city in 2021, despite concerns raised by the Fire Department regarding fire safety inspections.
Adams has denied knowingly accepting illegal campaign contributions and defended the trips and perks as routine constituent services. He maintains that his interactions with Turkish officials were within the scope of his duties as a public servant.
A spokesperson for Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the country's diplomatic missions operate in accordance with international rules and denied any interference in U.S. internal affairs.
The judge overseeing Adams' trial may address a request to investigate potential leaks of information by prosecutors to the media. The court filing raised concerns about the public disclosure of investigative details, such as FBI searches and seizures related to the case.
It remains uncertain whether a trial will be scheduled before New York's mayoral primary in June, where Adams is expected to face multiple challengers.
