In return, Adams allegedly provided favors, such as helping Turkey secure fire department approvals for a diplomatic high-rise in Manhattan, despite concerns about fire safety.
Adams’ defense team argues that he had no jurisdiction over the Manhattan building at the time, as he was Brooklyn’s borough president, and therefore could not have performed the alleged “official acts” required to sustain the bribery charge.
Legal Strategy
In a motion filed on Monday, Adams’ attorneys sought to dismiss the bribery charge, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of an Indiana mayor. That ruling clarified that certain payments, if legally interpreted as consulting fees, do not meet the criteria for bribery under federal law.
The defense hopes the law will be interpreted in Adams’ favor.
