Adams calls on judge to ‘promptly’ dismiss bribery case, citing campaign
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) on Monday called on the federal judge mulling whether to toss his criminal bribery charges to act with urgency as a deadline approaches later this week for mayoral candidates to submit their candidate petitions.
For weeks, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho has weighed whether to grant the Justice Department’s request to dismiss the case.
In a Monday letter submitted by Alex Spiro, Adams’ attorney, he noted that candidate petitions for this year’s mayoral race are due Thursday.
"We urge the Court consistent with its own comments to promptly reach a decision in this matter," Spiro wrote.
As the deadline approaches, the incumbent already faces multiple challengers in his attempt to earn a second term, including former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who entered the race this month and has sought to present himself as the top centrist candidate.
“Now, with the petition-filing deadline just days away, we respectfully urge the Court to issue its decision as soon as practicable,” Spiro wrote in the letter.
Adams was due to stand trial in April on federal charges of bribery, wire fraud and soliciting illegal campaign contributions. He pleaded not guilty.
After Trump took office, his Justice Department has looked to end the case over concerns the prosecution “improperly interfered” with Adams’s reelection campaign and “unduly restricted” his ability to partner with the administration on immigration. The move has drawn significant public scrutiny and sparked multiple prosecutors' resignations in protest.
Federal prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing when to drop prosecutions, and the judge has limited authority to question the decision.
Ho, an appointee of former President Biden, opted against holding oral argument and could rule at any time.