Mayor Adams accuses the government of leaking information about criminal investigations

Mayor Adams' defense team on Tuesday accused Justice Department prosecutors of leaking information about it the criminal investigation that led to his indictment to allegations of corruption.

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 to seek 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 the media The New York Times and CNN. He argued that the legal standard of 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 Adams was expected to be arraigned late Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter, followed by media outlets such as the daily newsthe 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 and other actions.

“The prejudice from these leaks was severe. “A cascade of critical articles based on one-sided, 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 charges is not unique. Similar claims were unsuccessfully made by former President Donald Trump in his Manhattan hush money trial, when he accused prosecutors 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. In his failed motion, a judge in 2015 found that news reports of the investigation that led to his case did not contain the details necessary to show that they revealed the inner workings of the grand jury – such as questions asked by grand jurors or the date the charges were filed.

Manhattan federal judge Kimba Wood found that Skelos' lawyers could not prove that the leaks came from prosecutors rather than people involved in more than 80 witness interviews or the dozens of attorneys involved.

“We have reported tirelessly and originally to uncover important new revelations about the allegations made against the mayor and his staff, and we have worked diligently to confirm the accuracy of all the information we received,” said Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesman The Times released a statement to The News regarding Spiro's allegations. “As the filing documents, the Times’ groundbreaking reporting on this case has been proven accurate in every respect.”

Adams, who was arraigned on that charge Fridayis expected to appear for the first time before the judge assigned to the case on Wednesday.

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.

Several senior members of the Adams administration Their homes were searched and their phones confiscated as part of the ongoing criminal investigation, which is believed to involve 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.

Originally published: October 1, 2024 at 10:42 am