**Adams' Legal Team Seeks Dismissal of Bribery Charge in Corruption Case**

Lawyers representing New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged a federal judge to dismiss a significant charge in his corruption case on Monday. They contended that Adams did not accept bribes when influencing FDNY leaders to expedite the opening of a Turkish consular building.

In their swiftly filed motion, Adams' defense team argued that the bribery charge, one of five criminal charges against the mayor, should be dropped. This comes less than a week after a federal grand jury issued a striking indictment against Adams. The defense also criticized the broader case, calling it "meritless," and targeted former staffer Rana Abbasova, who is expected to be the prosecution’s main witness.

The defense highlighted that the indictment, despite quoting various messages, emails, and conversations, failed to show any specific exchanges where Adams engaged in a quid pro quo agreement with Turkish officials. They referenced a recent Supreme Court decision that has undermined anti-corruption laws to bolster their argument.

Federal prosecutors allege that Adams, who was effectively the mayor-elect in September 2021, pressured the fire department to approve a new 36-story Turkish building without requiring a fire inspection. In return, Adams allegedly received free and heavily discounted luxury travel perks. The indictment presents messages between Adams and the former FDNY commissioner, along with details about lavish travel upgrades and luxury hotel stays he enjoyed thanks to Turkish supporters.

The bribery charge in question accuses Adams of accepting these travel perks in exchange for his influence on FDNY actions, specifically regarding the Turkish consulate. Additionally, Adams is accused of directing Turkish benefactors to illegally funnel money into his 2021 campaign and fraudulently obtaining $10 million in public campaign funds.

Adams has denied all accusations and expressed his determination to fight the charges. His attorneys, including prominent lawyer Alex Spiro, argue that the prosecution has not shown Adams agreed to accept any gifts in exchange for his political influence, describing the allegations as "vague."

The defense claims that Adams, serving as Brooklyn borough president at the time, had no authority over FDNY's decisions about a Manhattan building, and accusations of him using his potential future position as mayor to apply pressure are unfounded.

They also suggested that travel benefits Adams received during a Ghana trip, after the Turkish skyscraper had opened, might be considered "gratuities," which fall outside bribery laws. The motion criticized the prosecutors for attempting to criminalize "routine interactions by government officials" and substituting ethical guidelines with rigid federal criminal laws.

Adams' lawyers dismissed the remaining charges as "equally meritless," rooted in alleged falsehoods from Abbasova, a former aide with a personal vendetta. Abbasova is reportedly cooperating with the authorities as a key witness, but Adams' defense did not provide evidence against her credibility, only stating that more information would emerge during the trial.