NYC Mayor Eric Adams Taps Alex Spiro
Ben Thomson, LawFuel contributing editor
In a move that underscores the gravity of his legal predicament, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has enlisted the services of Quinn Emanuel partner Alex Spiro, a law star who continues to rise in the legal galaxy of legal luminaries.
The case is another headliner for Spiro who continues to attract profile clients facing profile offences, including acting as so-called go-to lawyer for Elon Musk, but also handling an array of individuals in major cases.
The indictment against Eric Adams includes five federal charges related to bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals.
The charges stem from allegations that Adams received over $100,000 in luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions over nearly a decade, dating back to his time as Brooklyn borough president
In exchange for the benefits, prosecutors allege that Adams performed political favors for the Turkish government, including pressuring Fire Department officials to approve a new high-rise Turkish consulate building in time for a visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Profile Lawyers Fronting
The case pits two legal heavyweights against each other with Spiro facing U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who has successfully prosecuted high-profile cases.
Legal analysts James Burnham and Yaakov Roth told CNN that while the indictment details the benefits Adams allegedly received, it is less specific about the official actions promised in return,
Spiro’s initial framing of the case as an “airline-upgrade corruption case” suggests he may attempt to downplay the severity of the allegations.
In a motion to dismiss, Spiro argued that the bribery charge is fatally flawed because it does not claim that Adams agreed to help Turkey open its new consulate in NYC at the time he allegedly accepted travel and other perks.
Spiro is relying on recent Supreme Court rulings, particularly the McDonnell case, which have made it more difficult for prosecutors to pursue corruption charges. He argues that Adams’ actions do not meet the narrow definition of “official acts” required for bribery.
He has noted that many of the charges relate to trips Adams took years ago when he was Brooklyn Borough President, not as mayor and any arrangement lacks the necessary specific details showing what the prosecution allege.
Assault on Democracy
However, some legal experts, like veteran defense lawyer Ron Kuby, view the campaign contribution allegations as particularly serious, calling them “a direct assault on basic principles of democracy and sovereignty.”
An ability to navigate media attention is crucial for a political figure like Adams facing criminal charges.
Adding a client like Adams simply adds to the heady roster of profile clients, which reads like a who’s who of business figures and entertainment luminaries, including Elon Musk, whom Spiro represented in the landmark $44 billion Twitter acquisition.
His track record also boasts successful defenses of music industry icons Jay-Z and Megan Thee Stallion, as well as actor Alec Baldwin in the highly publicized “Rust” movie set shooting case.
The Adams Charges
The charges against Adams stem from allegations of improper benefits acceptance, including undisclosed luxury travel and accommodations in Turkey, as well as accusations of exploiting New York City’s public campaign finance program through contributions from foreign nationals—a practice explicitly prohibited by law.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Adams remains defiant. In a video statement, the mayor vehemently denied any wrongdoing and pledged to continue serving in office while fighting the allegations.
“These charges will be entirely false, based on lies,” Adams declared, framing himself as a target due to his stance on behalf of New Yorkers.
Complementing Spiro’s appointment, Adams has also secured the legal expertise of WilmerHale partners Brendan McGuire and Boyd Johnson III, further bolstering his defense team with seasoned litigators.
Spiro has already taken an aggressive stance, criticizing the prosecution’s approach and anticipating a “dog-and-pony show” aimed at influencing potential jurors.
“We have known for some time that they would try to find a way to bring a case against Mayor Adams,” Spiro stated, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle.
And that – at least – is assured.
