Judge denies New York City Mayor Eric Adams' attempt to dismiss bribery charge
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday lost his attempt to dismiss one of the criminal charges he faces.
Adams was indicted in September on bribery and other charges alleging he accepted illegal campaign contributions and bribes consisting of various forms of luxury travel.
Adams sought to dismiss the bribery count, arguing the allegations do not meet the legal standard for bribery.
Judge Dale Ho disagreed.
"After careful review, the Court concludes that the indictment sufficiently charges bribery under the Second Circuit's precedent," Ho said.
Federal prosecutors said Adams pressured FDNY inspectors to okay the opening of the new Turkish consulate in Manhattan in exchange for "free or heavily discounted luxury travel benefits."
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Adams has pleaded not guilty.
On Monday, President-elect Donald Trump said in a far-ranging news conference that he would consider pardoning the embattled mayor.
"Yeah I would," consider pardoning Adams, Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, before saying that he was not familiar with the specifics of the charges Adam is facing.
The mayor has refused to speculate on a potential pardon and said the topic has not come up in their private conversations.
"Only thing we talk about is improving the city - the city that I love, the city that he loves," Adams said.
In addition to Adams, multiple members of his administration have also come under investigation, including Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the mayor's chief advisor and longtime aide, who announced Sunday that she is resigning from her post.
A grand jury in Lower Manhattan has been hearing evidence against Lewis-Martin and could vote on an indictment as soon as this week.
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