'Jumped the gun': Eric Adams defends himself before next court appearance

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – New York City Mayor Eric Adams is expected back in court Wednesday after he was accused of taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions.

A trial date could be set for Adams' case. The mayor's defense team could also ask a judge to sanction the prosecutors they accused of leaking information to the media before the indictment was unsealed.

Adams' attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that he wouldn't be able to get a fair trial and said that the leaks went on for months, leading up to the mayor being indicted last Thursday. The five counts of bribery, conspiracy, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations from the Turkish government were laid out in a 57-page indictment, accusing Adams of accepting luxury travel and benefits worth more than $100,000, as well as illegal campaign contributions.

Prosecutors argued that Adams granted favors to Turkey in exchange for the gifts, including pressuring the FDNY to greenlight a new high-rise Turkish consulate building in Midtown while he was mayor-elect.

Adams pleaded not guilty to all five charges in federal court on Friday. The mayor defended himself for not stepping down on Tuesday in City Hall, touting his achievements while in office.

"Brooklyn had one of the largest Turkish populations, definitely the largest Turkish population in the city," Adams said. "Those constituencies often ask, 'Can you bring in the counsel generals from our various constituencies and develop a relationship…' I think that as the case unfolds, some people are going to say, 'You know what, we may have jumped the gun on Eric Adams.'"

Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office, but said she's giving him time to prove he can chart a path forward and continue to serve New Yorkers.

Judge Dale Ho is presiding over the case. Court starts at 10:30 a.m.

This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.