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 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 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 anything was leaked to media outlets like 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.

The attorney, relying primarily on reports in the Times, detailed federal searches of the home of Brianna Suggs, Adams' top campaign fundraiser, subpoenas Adams received, the focus and objectives of the investigation, about Adams' upcoming indictment and other topics.

The Times reported that Adams was expected to be arraigned 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 about the revelations. He said the defense could request dismissal of the charges, suppression of evidence in the case, contempt of prosecutors and other measures.

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

The mayor pleaded not guilty to charges including 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.

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