By Luc Cohen , Reuters New York City Mayor Eric Adams will go on trial on corruption charges starting 21 April, 2025, a US judge ruled on Friday, placing the proceedings in the middle of what promises to be a bruising reelection campaign for the embattled Democrat. US District Judge Dale Ho set the date at a hearing in Manhattan federal court over the opposition of Adams' defence lawyer Alex Spiro, who wanted the trial over the mayor's alleged dealings with Turkish officials to end by March, well before the Democratic primary election in June. Adams, 64, pleaded not guilty last month.
Spiro predicted he would be acquitted at trial, and warned of "grave, grave democratic concerns" if he does not have enough time to clear his name before voters go to the polls. "It doesn't give him a realistic chance," Spiro said. Ho said prosecutors needed more time to review their evidence and hand it over to the defence, which is known as discovery.
Some of the material could be classified, resulting in more complex procedures. "I do think it's important for the public to have an answer one way or another, but I also have to be mindful of the discovery process," Ho said. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan in September charged Adams with accepting bribes including flight upgrades and luxury hotel stays, as well as illegal campaign contributions, in exchange for pressuring city officials to allow Turkey's new 36-story consulate to open despite safety concerns.
The trial is expected to last about.