Federal prosecutors push back on Mayor Adams' early trial bid, citing shifting stance on key docs

NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors are opposing Mayor Eric Adams’ request for an early start to his criminal trial on corruption charges, citing a shift in his stance on whether he should be able to review classified material gathered by investigators as part of his case.

Adams, who’s under indictment on charges alleging he took bribes and illegal campaign cash from Turkish government operatives in exchange for political favors, was initially expected to have his trial start April 21.

But his attorneys filed papers earlier this month asking Manhattan Federal Court Judge Dale Ho to instead set an April 1 trial date as the Democratic mayoral primary is set for June. To make that happen, Adams’ lawyers at the time said he would be willing to forfeit his right to access certain Classified Information Procedures Act, or CIPA, material the feds obtained over the course of their investigation into him.

In a filing late Wednesday, prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office wrote that Adams’ legal team told them in meetings this week he is “no longer certain” he wants to waive his right to access the sensitive materials.

Due to Adams’ position, the prosecutors said they oppose the request for an earlier start and asked Ho to uphold the April 21 timing, which they called “the earliest practicable trial date” if the mayor is going to retain CIPA access. In fact, the prosecutors wrote they may ask for an adjournment of even the April 21 start due to the complicated nature of the CIPA review process.

The nature of the classified material that has surfaced in the case is unclear, though Adams’ indictment includes numerous references to conversations involving Turkish government operatives and officials. Experts have said prosecutors may have become privy to those via classified U.S. surveillance programs.

A spokeswoman for Alex Spiro, Adams’ lead attorney, said he didn’t have immediate comment late Wednesday.

Spiro argued earlier this month Adams is entitled to an April 1 start due to the fact that the Democratic mayoral primary he’s facing multiple challengers in falls on June 25. If the trial doesn’t start until April 21, Spiro argued Adams will be deprived of ample opportunity to campaign for his reelection.

In his own court filing submitted late Wednesday, Spiro reiterated that argument and said another reason for setting an April 1 trial date is that two of his fellow attorneys defending Adams have a scheduling conflict around April 21. Spiro’s filing also confirmed Adams is considering not waiving his CIPA access, though it didn’t offer a reason.

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