(New York) New York Mayor Eric Adams delivered his most comprehensive public defense yet since his indictment on federal corruption charges, insisting the case was a test that would not distract him from governing then that he avoided specific questions about the investigation for more than an hour Tuesday.
And yet, even as the mayor began addressing reporters alone under the City Hall rotunda, a potential witness in one of the sprawling investigations was finishing his own press briefing just feet away, complaining of having been the victim of corrupt “extortion”.
The whiplash-inducing morning at City Hall reflected the growing tumult that has gripped the Democrat’s administration in recent weeks, raising questions about Mr. Adams’ ability to continue running the largest city country while shuttling between court appearances and facing an exodus of his top deputies.
As he took the podium, a smiling Eric Adams began his comments with one of his usual quips, but the mayor also appeared evasive and isolated.
Mr. Adams typically arrives at his Tuesday briefings accompanied by triumphant background music and a phalanx of aides, including his chief legal counsel. But his main lawyer recently resigned. Monday evening, one of his closest advisers also resigned. Another received a federal subpoena Friday.
This time he was alone. Although Eric Adams spoke to reporters at length, he refused to answer questions about what laws he is accused of breaking, whether his security clearance was downgraded as a result of the criminal case and whether he truly believes – as he has repeatedly suggested – that the investigation is politically motivated.
PHOTO CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Eric Adams spoke to reporters at length.
Instead, the mayor presented himself as a seasoned leader, confident in his ability to overcome “obstacles.”
“As this case unfolds, some people are going to say, ‘You know what, we jumped the gun on Eric Adams,'” he said. It’s a test for people who automatically come with their hearts in a certain way. The information will continue to show that I am not violating the laws. »
Federal prosecutors accused Mr. Adams of soliciting and accepting illegal campaign contributions and more than $100,000 in luxury travel perks from Turkish officials and other foreign nationals seeking to buy his influence.
In return, they claim he performed official services that benefited Turkey, including pushing for the opening of a consulate in Manhattan over the objections of fire safety officials who said he was dangerous to occupy it.
Other investigations in the administration
The charges against Mr. Adams come as federal investigators conduct several probes linked to several senior officials in his administration, including the brother of his former police commissioner and one of his top advisers and closest confidants, Tim Pearson.
Mr. Pearson resigned Monday evening, weeks after Police Commissioner Edward Caban and Schools Chancellor David Banks announced their resignations. All have denied any wrongdoing.
Outside City Hall, Brooklyn juice bar and nightclub owner Shamel Kelly held his own news conference Tuesday, claiming he was the victim of a corrupt scheme involving a assistant to the mayor and the police department.
Seeking help with a series of noise complaints, Kelly said he was put in touch by a City Hall staffer with the owner of a night security company, who told him that he could make the complaints disappear for money. Kelly said he later learned the security company was run by James Caban, the former police commissioner’s twin brother.
“I felt like I was being extorted,” Mr. Kelly told reporters. He provided video showing dozens of officers right outside the door of his Coney Island business for one of the alleged noise complaints, which Mr. Kelly’s lawyers said had been provided to federal prosecutors.
A lawyer for James Caban, Sean Hecker, said his client “unequivocally denies any wrongdoing.”
Eric Adams said he was unaware of the allegations, which were first reported weeks ago, but that “no one should treat a business owner unfairly in any way.” either “. Surrounded by signs detailing his political accomplishments, Mr. Adams then spoke about his own experience of adversity, recalling his difficult childhood in working-class Queens and his struggles with dyslexia and diabetes that nearly left him blind.
“I’ve had tough times throughout my life, and despite all of those tough times, I’m called the mayor of New York City,” he said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove the mayor, said this week that she was giving Mr. Adams a chance to show he can continue to lead the city while his criminal case plays out.
As Eric Adams sought to make his political point, his lawyers were busy ramping up their legal defense.
In a court filing Tuesday, Mr. Adams’s lawyers asked a judge to investigate the leaks to the media by prosecutors and, if confirmed, to impose appropriate measures, including dismissal of the indictment.
The complaint came a day after his lawyer asked a judge to drop the bribery charge – one of five counts he faces – arguing that the details of the alleged conduct do not meet not on the threshold of a quid pro quo.
A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment.
Eric Adams is due back in court Wednesday morning.