New York’s mayor deflects questions about bribery allegations as potential witness speaks at City Hall

NEW YORK (AP) – New York City Mayor Eric Adams has delivered his most thorough public defense yet since his indictment on federal bribery chargesinsisting the case is a “test” that is not going to distract him from governing as he answered specific questions about the investigation for greater than an hour on Tuesday.

However, just as the mayor began to talk to reporters alone in front of the City Hall rotunda, a potential witness from one in every of… extensive investigations just a few steps away, he was wrapping up his own press briefing, complaining that he was the victim of a corruption “shake-up.”

This whiplash-inducing morning at City Hall reflects the deepening turmoil that has gripped the Democratic administration in recent weeks, raising questions about whether Adams can proceed to run the nation’s largest city while shuttling between court hearings and coping with an exodus of top lawmakers.

Stepping to the rostrum, a smiling Adams began his remarks together with his favorite joke: “This will go down in my book.”

But if the mayor wanted to precise his trademark pride, the mayor also seemed evasive and isolated. Adams often involves Tuesday briefings with company triumphant walking music and a phalanx of deputies, including his chief legal adviser. But currently his best lawyer resigned. On Monday evening, one in every of his closest advisers also resigned. Another federal subpoena was served on Friday.

This time he was alone. Although Adams spoke extensively with reporters, he declined to reply questions about the law he’s accused of committing, whether his security clearance was downgraded as a results of the criminal case and whether he truly believes – as he repeatedly suggested — that the investigation is politically motivated.

Instead, the mayor presented himself as a battle-tested executive, confident in his ability to beat “obstacles.”

“As this case progresses, some people will say, ‘You know what, we’ve gone after Eric Adams,’” he said. “It’s a test for people who automatically come with their heart one way. The information will continue to show that I am not breaking the law.”

Federal prosecutors accused Adams of soliciting and accepting illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel advantages price greater than $100,000 from Turkish officials and other foreigners trying to buy his influence.

In return, they are saying he performed official favors for Turkey, including pushing through the opening of the consulate constructing in Manhattan over the objections of fireside safety officials who said it was unsafe to live in.

The charges against Adams come as federal investigators pursue multiple investigations linked to several top officials in his administration, including the brother of his former police commissioner; a consulting firm run by one other brother of his school, the chancellor and deputy mayor for public safety; and one in every of his top advisors and closest confidantes, Tim Pearson.

Pearson resigned On Monday evening, just a few weeks after the police commissioner’s arrival, Edward Cabanand rector of the varsity, David Banks, announced that they were stepping down. They all denied any irregularities.

Outside City Hall, Brooklyn juice bar and nightclub owner Shamel Kelly held his own news conference Tuesday wherein he said he was the victim of a corrupt scheme that involved a mayoral aide and police.

While looking for help with multiple noise complaints, Kelly said a City Hall worker put him in contact with the owner of a nightclub security company who told him he could make the complaints go away for a fee. Kelly said he later learned that the safety company was run by James Caban, the dual brother of the previous police commissioner.

“I felt like someone was forcing me,” Kelly told reporters. He provided video of dozens of officers just outside the doors of his Coney Island business in reference to one in every of the alleged noise complaints, which Kelly’s lawyers say was referred to federal prosecutors.

James Caban’s attorney, Sean Hecker, said his client “unequivocally denies any wrongdoing.”

Adams said he was unaware of the allegations first reported weeks ago, but that “no one should treat a business owner unfairly in any way.”

Then, surrounded by signs detailing his political achievements, Adams discussed his own experiences of adversity, recalling his difficult childhood in working-class Queens and his struggles with dyslexia and diabetes that almost left him blind.

“I have faced difficult moments throughout my life, and despite all these difficult moments, I have been called the mayor of New York,” he said.

Later that evening, Adams joined a bunch of Black clergy leaders who gathered in a prayer circle outside City Hall, accompanied by his top aide, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, whose home was also searched by investigators on Friday.

“You don’t give up in hard times, you keep lifting up in hard times,” Adams said, as his allies chanted “four more years” and showered the mayor with “hallelujahs.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the facility to remove the mayor from office, said this week she was giving Adams a probability to point out he can still run town after his criminal case ends.

As Adams sought to make his political case, his lawyers were busy ramping up their legal defense.

In a court filing Tuesday, Adams’ lawyers asked the judge to analyze leaks to the media from prosecutors and, if confirmed, take appropriate measures, including dismissing the indictment.

This success got here the day after his lawyer he turned to the judge dismiss the bribery charge – one in every of five charges against him – arguing that the main points of the alleged conduct didn’t meet the compensation threshold.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan declined to comment on the case.

Adams is scheduled to return to court Wednesday morning.

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