NYC Mayor Adams' Lawyer Argues Corruption Charges Are Baseless: 'It Defies All Logic'

Adams' Lawyer Dismisses Corruption Charges: 'It Defies All Logic'

The lawyer for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Alex Spiro, has urged a federal court to dismiss corruption charges against the mayor, arguing that the allegations don't meet the legal definition of bribery and lack credible evidence.

Adams pleaded not guilty on Friday to five federal charges, including accepting bribes, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals. The indictment alleges that Adams received luxury travel perks from Turkish Airlines while he was Brooklyn borough president, years before becoming mayor, and that he pressured the city's Fire Department to approve the opening of a Turkish consular building without a fire inspection.

Spiro, however, insists that the upgrades in Adams' travel came without any demand for an official act in exchange. He claims that Adams didn't pressure the Fire Department and that airline officials would have been aware of his future mayoral candidacy.

Regarding the campaign finance allegations, Spiro maintains that Adams was unaware of any illegal foreign campaign contributions, and that the campaign refunded contributions when it raised more than needed. He also claims that the allegations rely heavily on the testimony of a single witness who has admitted to lying to investigators and destroying evidence.

“The alleged conduct does not support the bribery charge," Spiro told reporters. “It defies all logic, it defies common sense and it isn’t true."

Adams is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.