NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty on Friday to corruption and bribery charges brought against him earlier this week, as calls for him to resign from office grow.
The arraignment hearing lasted no more than around 45 minutes at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Seated toward the middle of the courtroom as U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherine Parker asked for his plea, Adams said, “I am not guilty, your honor.”
Eric Adams walks to his motorcade after pleading not guilty to federal bribery charges.
“I am not guilty, your honor,” Adams said from the courtroom. pic.twitter.com/SngO7LEJhR
— Kaelan Deese (@KaelanDC) September 27, 2024
Members of the U.S. Marshals Service walked Adams out of the courthouse just before 1 p.m. on Thursday, and he stood briefly among a crowd of press while he awaited his motorcade.
The New York City mayor was indicted by federal prosecutors on five counts earlier this week, including one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals; one count of wire fraud; two counts of solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national; and one count of bribery, which the magistrate judge summarized ahead of Adams’s guilty plea on Friday.
Parker informed federal prosecutors that Adams must be handed over certain disclosures and exculpatory evidence as pre-trial proceedings commence, a process under what’s known as the Brady doctrine.
“If the government fails to comply with this order,” there could be consequences including sanctions or dismissal of the charges, Parker warned.
Adams has retained Alex Spiro, a high-profile attorney known for working with celebrities including rappers Jay-Z, 21 Savage, and other notable figures such as Tesla founder Elon Musk, to represent him in the case.
Spiro said Adams will move to dismiss the case at the next court appearance on Oct. 2, where U.S. District Court Judge Dale Ho will begin presiding over the case.
Toward the end of the proceeding, Spiro agreed with the government’s condition of Adams’s release, which includes the mayor vowing not to speak with witnesses named in the indictment, although with limited exceptions.
Several close associates of Adams have also been caught up in federal investigations, including Deputy Mayor Phil Banks, former NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, and top legal and political advisers.
The judge agreed to the government’s request with notice that there will be exceptions for Adams to continue communicating with members of his inner circle so long as their conversations do not surround the facts of the case.
Some critics of the mayor have called on Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) to remove Adams from office. Hochul has said she is reviewing her options regarding Adams.
While it’s possible for the governor to remove Adams, legal experts say the process can be complex.
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Adams, a Democrat, is the first sitting New York City mayor to be criminally indicted and has faced calls to resign from office from both Republicans and members of his party. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), who represents parts of Manhattan, called on the mayor to resign in a statement Friday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has stopped short of calling Adams to resign, but said the charges are “serious” and the legal process should play out “speedily and fairly.”