Lawyers for Eric Adams called on a federal judge to toss part of the New York City mayor’s corruption case on Monday – insisting Hizzoner didn’t take bribes when he pushed FDNY leaders to fast track the opening of a Turkish tower. The rapidly filed motion argues that one of the five criminal charges Adams faces – bribery – should be dismissed less than a week after a federal grand jury handed down the bombshell indictment. Adams’ defense team also called the rest of the case brought by the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office “meritless,” and took a shot at former staffer Rana Abbasova, who is expected to serve as 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 legal team wrote , while pointing to a recent US Supreme Court decision that has weakened anti-corruption laws. Federal prosecutors allege Adams, as de facto mayor-elect, pressured the fire department to rush to open a new 36-story Turkish consular building without a fire inspection in September 2021 in exchange for free and heavily discounted luxury travel perks. The indictment includes messages between Adams and the then-FDNY commissioner and details swanky flight upgrades and posh hotel suite stays Hizzoner received from Turkish backers dating back.