Eric Adams Skips NYC Mayoral Candidates Forum as He Awaits Decision on Legal Fate
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has pulled out of a mayoral candidates forum featuring many of his opponents in the Democratic primary, citing his lawyer’s advice to avoid such events until a judge decides whether to dismiss the public corruption indictment still pending against him.
"Let’s allow the court to do this process," Adams told reporters as he left another event in the city, adding that there was plenty of time left in the mayoral campaign for other debates and public forums.
The mayor also offered a second justification for his absence from the planned forum, held by District Council 37, the largest municipal union in the city. "The event would not include at least one candidate who was ‘running in the shadows,’" Adams said, referencing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is already racking up endorsements despite having not yet said publicly whether he plans to enter the race. "We need to get everybody running," Adams said. "No candidate should be able to stay on the sidelines and send out innuendos."
An attorney for Adams and a campaign representative did not return a request for comment about him skipping the mayoral forum.
Earlier this week, Adams again asked a judge to toss the criminal case, alleging prosecutorial misconduct. Adams was charged in September with accepting over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and travel perks from a Turkish official and others seeking to buy influence while he was Brooklyn borough president.
The case has been a thorn in Adams’ side throughout his mayoral campaign, and his decision to skip the candidates forum underscores the weight of the legal proceedings on his political fortunes.
The Case Against Eric Adams
Adams was charged in September with accepting over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and travel perks from a Turkish official and others seeking to buy influence while he was Brooklyn borough president. The case was initially dropped in October, but prosecutors later refiled the charges, alleging that Adams had accepted the gifts in exchange for political favors.
The Legal Battle
In court papers filed this week, Adams’ lawyers accused the government of improperly leaking a letter written by then-U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, which explained why charges should not be dropped. They also alleged that prosecutors had planned to charge Adams with obstructing justice. The lawyers said that the public exposure of the internal Justice Department fight had interfered with Adams’ ability to receive a fair trial.
What’s Next?
A judge is expected to make a decision on the case in the coming weeks. If the charges are dropped, Adams has agreed that the case could be re-filed, perhaps after the November election. However, if the charges are dismissed, Adams’ lawyers argue that the case is so tainted that the corruption charges should be dismissed for good.
Conclusion
The case against Eric Adams has cast a shadow over his mayoral campaign, and his decision to skip the candidates forum is a clear indication of the weight of the legal proceedings on his political fortunes. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Adams will be able to overcome the legal challenges and go on to win the Democratic primary.
FAQs
- What is the case against Eric Adams?
- Eric Adams is facing a public corruption indictment for allegedly accepting over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and travel perks from a Turkish official and others seeking to buy influence while he was Brooklyn borough president.
- Why did Adams skip the mayoral candidates forum?
- Adams skipped the forum at the advice of his lawyer, who told him to avoid the event until a judge decides whether to dismiss the public corruption indictment.
- What is the current status of the case?
- The case is ongoing, with a judge expected to make a decision in the coming weeks. If the charges are dropped, Adams has agreed that the case could be re-filed, perhaps after the November election.
