New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday a judge to move up the start of his criminal trial by three weeks, claiming the new date would better allow him to run for reelection. Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro made the request on Adams’ behalf in a letter to US District Judge for the Southern District of New York Dale E. Ho.
Spiro asked Judge Ho to move the trial’s start date from April 21, 2025, to April 1, 2025. Spiro stated: An The letter cited “[s]everal critical events” in the upcoming Democratic primary for the New York City mayoral seat, such as candidate forums and debates, that will likely take place before the trial concludes. Spiro additionally stated that the newly proposed trial date is “perfectly feasible” in this case.
Adams’ defense said it would simplify issues currently impacting the trial’s start date, including waiving specific discovery motions. Adams was in September for allegedly soliciting and accepting donations from foreign agents in exchange for political favors. The indictment Adams abused his positions of power to obtain personal benefits and illegal campaign contributions for nearly 10 years.
Adams allegedly received, for example, benefits such as “luxury international travel” from foreign individuals seeking to influence his political positions. The indictment also alleged that Adams received improper “straw” contributions where foreign individuals donated to his campaigns through US donors, evading campaign finance laws. The .