Legal professionals for New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams met with officers on the Division of Justice in Washington Friday afternoon amid studies the mayor’s group has sought to have his corruption case dropped, in response to three sources conversant in the assembly.
The sources additionally informed NBC New York legal professionals for the Southern District of New York have been in Washington to satisfy with Adams’ lawyer.
A spokesman for the U.S. Lawyer’s workplace declined to touch upon the current developments. In the meantime, a spokesman for the mayor referred NBC New York to his authorized group, who didn’t instantly return request for remark.
It is common for a high-profile defendant to ask the Justice Division underneath a brand new administration to take a recent have a look at a case.
There has not been any indication federal prosecutors in Manhattan, nor the DOJ, are contemplating dropping the case, one particular person conversant in the matter stated. Prosecutors lately informed a choose that they had uncovered proof of “extra prison conduct” in opposition to the mayor and knowledgeable the courtroom they have been prone to deliver extra prices in opposition to Adams.
Adams has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and criticized the investigation.
Adams’ lawyer Alex Spiro, one in every of a fleet of legal professionals that additionally represents Elon Musk, has maintained an in depth relationship with President Donald Trump since his election marketing campaign over the summer time.
Adams visited then-President-elect Trump in Florida on Jan. 17, and was provided a last-minute invitation to the inauguration in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The mayor has dismissed questions that his prison case — or the potential of a presidential pardon if he’s convicted — got here up in the course of the sit-down close to Trump’s property, saying the case is one thing his authorized group is dealing with.
The timing of NYC Mayor Eric Adam’s withdrawal from the general public eye on account of routine medical exams has triggered new questions on the way forward for the embattled mayor. NBC New York’s Melissa Russo studies.
Adams, who was out of the general public eye for the primary a part of the week coping with an unidentified medical concern, returned to highlight on Thursday.
Outdoors a police division occasion in midtown Thursday morning, Adams didn’t reply questions on his well being nor about any leniency he could also be negotiating with the Trump administration, saying solely “Alex Spiro is my attorney.”
The timing of Adams’ withdrawal from the general public eye on account of routine medical exams triggered new questions on the way forward for the embattled mayor, NBC New York’s Melissa Russo studies.
“Who started this stupid rumor that I was stepping down on Friday? Are you out of your mind?” a fired-up Adams stated to cheers from clergy at an interfaith breakfast Thursday morning. “‘Eric is resigning in 72 hours.’ How many times do I have to say: When people say step down, I say step up.”
With the religion leaders on Thursday, Adams stated he relied on God throughout an obvious reference to his well being scare.
“Last week was a scary week for me,” he stated, with out offering additional details about what had triggered him to not be “feeling his best,” as his group beforehand said.
In what appeared like a marketing campaign speech, Adams was defiant defending his file, touting turnarounds within the economic system and crime. However he additionally appeared conscious that some New Yorkers could now be questioning: If he will get a go on his prison prices, could be be loyal to NYC or to President Donald Trump?
“I’m committed to the city. I love this city,” the mayor stated.
Mayor Eric Adams is scaling again occasions, saying it is due to well being causes. Nevertheless, the mayor’s workplace insisted that metropolis enterprise will proceed as normal for the week. NBC New York’s Andrew Siff studies.
The mayor had been on momentary sick go away since Monday for what his workplace has known as routine medical exams. There had been rumors since Tuesday that he would plead responsible and even resign imminently, however Spiro stated Wednesday “sorry, he’s not resigning,” and added the mayor has nothing to plead responsible for.
“He’s innocent, as I’ve said since the beginning,” stated Spiro outdoors courtroom after a quick, closed-door listening to Wednesday.
Adams didn’t attend that listening to. Spiro didn’t disclose whether or not any talks with prosecutors have been underway.