NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams returned to court Friday and sat stoically as his attorneys fought to eliminate a key charge in the case. federal corruption indictment This threatens his political future.

The Democrat is fighting to throw out the bribery charge, one of five cases that U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho said would go to trial on April 21, 2025, in the midst of Adams’ promised re-election campaign.

The mayor’s lawyers argued at the hearing in Manhattan federal court that the bribery charge did not meet the federal criminal standard and was not “specific enough,” especially after recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions redefined how the case would be prosecuted.

“The U.S. attorney had difficulty defining what ‘quo’ is here,” said Adams’ attorney, John Bash, referring to the concept of “quid pro quo,” a Latin phrase essentially meaning “something for something.” he said.

Prosecutors countered that Adams’ attorneys were being meticulous because they allege: Adams was taking bribes and making an impact while previously holding elected office and waiting to become mayor.

Ho said he would “take the allegations under advisement and try to make a decision shortly.”

Prosecutors also announced Friday that they have searched nearly two dozen electronic devices seized in the investigation, but they still haven’t been able to access Adams’ personal cell phone and aren’t sure they can do so. According to the indictment, Adams changed the password of the phone just before giving it to the authorities and then claimed that he had forgotten it.

IndictmentThe lawsuit, which also includes charges of wire fraud and conspiracy, accuses Adams of accepting flight upgrades and other luxury travel perks worth $100,000 and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals who sought to buy his influence.

In return, prosecutors say, Adams made political favors that benefited the Turkish government, including pressuring the fire department in 2021 to approve the opening of a diplomatic tower he deemed unsafe.

Adams held a different elected position at the time as Brooklyn borough president, but by then it was clear he would become mayor.

owned by Adams He did not admit his guilt He admitted the charges and promised to remain in office while pursuing his legal defense.

Bash argued that the alleged favors did not meet the legal definition of bribery because they predated his time as mayor and “had nothing to do with his position in government.”

Adams’ lawyers claim that prosecutors are trying to criminalize “normal and perfectly lawful actions” that Adams took as Brooklyn borough president before he was elected mayor.

Under the law, prosecutors must prove that Adams accepted bribes in exchange for using his official office to gain influence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten argued that Adams’ role as county executive “puts him in the same room as the fire commissioner.”

Ho wondered whether it was Adams’ move to City Hall, rather than his position as borough president, that gave him the authority to pressure the fire department.

“It seems a little odd that the judicial connection here is that he is the Brooklyn borough president, but his ability to apply pressure comes from something else,” Ho said.

Scotten stood firm, arguing that “if Margot Robbie called her and was really persuasive,” the “Barbie” actress and producer still wouldn’t be able to influence the fire department without holding elected office.

“He probably would have answered that call,” Ho joked, prompting laughter in the courtroom.

Ho allocated time every 20 minutes for the defense and prosecution to discuss the matter.

The judge interjected questions throughout arguments, at one point asking Bash to consider whether prosecutors could remedy their alleged shortcomings by providing additional details or arguments.

“If that’s the direction they’re going to go, I’d hate to write the government-substituting indictment on their behalf,” Bash replied, before launching into a lengthy discussion of the intricacies of bribery law.

Near the end of the two-hour hearing, Adams dropped his solemn gaze and nodded determinedly, while one of his lawyers, Alex Spiro, warned the judge that holding the hearing at the same time as next June’s Democratic primaries would be “serious.” serious democratic concern.”

Ho said he was confident the April 2025 date would apply “unless something unexpected comes up.”

Scotten said at last month’s hearing that they had conducted “several relevant investigations” and that prosecutors would “likely” seek to serve an indictment charging Adams with additional crimes. Scotten also said it was “likely” other defendants would also be charged.

Late Thursday, Ho rejected another defense attempt to break up the case and denied Adams’ request for a hearing on the mayor’s allegations that the government leaked information about the investigation to the news media.

The judge ruled that Adams and his lawyers failed to prove these allegations and that if there were any leaks, the blame fell on the government.

In court filings outlining their arguments, Adams’ lawyers said the flight upgrades and other perks the mayor received over the years were at best “classic tips,” and recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions found they did not fall within the scope of bribery law. Past actions by filing.

Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, responded that Adams’ actions were clearly criminal.

“It should be clear from the face of the indictment that there was nothing routine about a public official accepting over $100,000 in benefits from a foreign diplomat and going to great lengths to conceal it (including creating false paper trails to create the illusion of payment),” he wrote. prosecutors.

Some of Adams’ closest aides, including the police commissioner, schools superintendent and several deputy mayors, resigned in recent months after federal investigators conducted coordinated searches of their homes in early September.

Adams argued that he could continue to govern the city effectively while fighting the charges.

But his political future remains worrisome, and several opponents have announced plans to challenge him in next year’s mayoral primaries.

Earlier this week, Adams raised eyebrows After repeatedly refusing to criticize former President Donald Trump, he declined to say when he last spoke to the Republican nominee or whether he would seek a pardon if Trump is re-elected.