'It defies all logic:' New York City Mayor Eric Adams' lawyer urges corruption case dismissal

New York City Mayor Eric Adams ' lawyer, Alex Spiro, filed his arguments Monday asking a federal judge to dismiss charges of alleged public corruption by saying his conduct doesn't meet the criminal definition for bribery and other charges aren't supported by credible evidence.

Adams pleaded not guilty on Friday to five federal criminal charges of accepting bribes, wire fraud and soliciting illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals, as the Democrat resists mounting calls from within his own party to resign.

Spiro held a news conference to explain his argument that upgrades in Adams' travel on Turkish Airlines came while he was Brooklyn borough president − years before he became mayor − and without any demand for any official act in exchange.

As mayor-elect in September 2021, Adams is charged with pressuring the city Fire Department to approve the opening of a Turkish consular building without a fire inspection. But Spiro argued Adams didn't pressure the Fire Department and said airline officials would have had to know he was going to become mayor years after providing travel enhancements.

“The alleged conduct does not support the bribery charge," Spiro told reporters. “It defies all logic, it defies common sense and it isn’t true."

The rest of the case deals with alleged campaign finance violations. The indictment also alleges Adams illegally accepted foreign campaign donations and used them to "steal" $10 million in public funds through the city's Matching Funds Program .

Spiro said the allegations are that the campaign received $18,000 in matching funds for contributions from foreigners, and Adams was unaware of it. Adams had no incentive to raise additional funds because the campaign raised more than it needed and refunded contributions when it was over, Spiro said. The allegations rely on testimony of a single witness who admitted lying to investigators and destroying evidence, Spiro said.

“There is no scheme. There is no foreign interference," Spiro said. "This is all nonsense that is spun into this."

Adams' next court appearance is scheduled Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors allege Adams secretly solicited and accepted illegal gifts and campaign donations from wealthy foreigners. Adams allegedly accepted luxury airline tickets, meals, and hotel rooms from Turkish officials, according to the indictment.

According to the indictment , Adams returned the favor when he pressured the city's fire department to approve the opening of the new Turkish consular building. It alleges the building would have failed an inspection at the time, but Turkish officials were eager to open it ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to the city for the Unite Nations General Assembly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'It defies all logic:' New York City Mayor Eric Adams' lawyer urges corruption case dismissal