New York Mayor Eric Adams accuses the government of leaking information about criminal investigations

NEW YORK – Mayor Eric Adams’ defense team on Tuesday accused Justice Department prosecutors of leaking information about the criminal investigation that led to his indictment on corruption charges.

In a flurry of court filings, Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, asked a judge to hold an evidentiary hearing into more than a year of investigative reporting on his administration’s criminal investigation, seeking sanctions over alleged violations of grand jury secrecy. The aggressive defense strategy comes less than a week after Adams was charged.

Spiro pointed the finger at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, but offered no evidence that it leaked anything to outlets like the New York Times and CNN. He argued that the legal standard for requesting an evidentiary hearing on the matter was “fragile.” [to] The interpretation that a violation occurred was made based on the limited number of people who knew the information reported.

Citing mostly reports in the Times, the lawyer detailed federal searches of the home of Brianna Suggs, Adams’ top campaign fundraiser, subpoenas Adams received, the focus and objectives of the investigation, and Adams ‘ impending indictment and other topics .

The Times reported that an indictment against Adams was expected late Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter, followed by outlets including the Daily News, New York Post and The City. No media organization reported the indictment, which was unsealed the next morning.

In the filing Tuesday, Spiro said the mayor’s defense team contacted prosecutors on June 7 and Aug. 13 to inquire about leaks other actions.

“The prejudice from these leaks was severe. “A cascade of critical articles based on biased, misleading government information undermined public support for the mayor long before he was ever charged with a crime and able to defend himself in court,” the filing says.

Adams’ defense strategy of uncovering the source of leaks to refute the allegations is not unique. Similar claims were made by former President Donald Trump in his Manhattan hush money case, when he accused the Manhattan district attorney’s office of leaking information about the previous grand jury investigation to the media.

Former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who was convicted of federal corruption charges in 2018, tried a similar strategy.

Adams, who was arraigned on the charges Friday, is expected to make his first appearance Wednesday before the judge assigned to the case.

The mayor has pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud, bribery and conspiracy. He is accused of soliciting and accepting illegal campaign contributions from foreign donors, receiving more than $100,000 in luxury travel perks in return for favors for the Turkish government and engaging in other corrupt activities dating back to his time as district president stretch back from Brooklyn.

The homes of several high-ranking members of the Adams administration were searched and phones were confiscated as part of the ongoing criminal investigation, which is believed to span multiple areas of interest.

The investigation has intensified along with several high-profile resignations in recent weeks, including Adams’ former police commissioner Edward Caban, schools chancellor David Banks and the mayor’s chief legal counsel, Lisa Zornberg.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan declined to comment. The News reached out to a Times spokesperson.

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