NEW YORK- New York Mayor Eric Adams. He is seeking to advance the start of his trial on corruption and bribery charges so he can focus on his re-election campaign this spring.

In a letter sent to the federal judge on Monday, an attorney for Adams, Alex Spiro, requested that the trial begin April 1 instead of the current scheduled date of April 23.

“An earlier trial date will ensure that Mayor Adams’ speedy trial rights are respected, that the mayor will be able to fully participate in his re-election campaign, and that the voters of this city can get rid of the distraction of this misguided accusation while they hear and They evaluate Democratic mayoral candidates on their merits,” Spiro wrote.

Adams, a Democrat, was charged in September with accepting luxury travel benefits and illegal campaign corporations from a Turkish official seeking political favors. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and insisted he will remain in office while fighting the case.

He is expected to face a tight Democratic primary in June, and several opponents have already announced their interest in challenging him.

Inquiries to the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan were not answered.

At a hearing earlier this month, prosecutors said they would be ready for a trial when it is scheduled, but noted they were still reviewing a large amount of seized records and had not yet accessed Adams’ personal cellphone. According to his indictment, Adams changed his password just before handing the phone over to authorities and later claimed he forgot it.

In his letter Monday, Spiro said he would give up access to certain discovery materials if it meant speeding up the trial date. Under the current schedule, he predicted the verdict would come at the end of May, giving the mayor only a short period of time to clear his name with voters.

“Given the realities of the news and the election cycle, this earlier trial date is not only feasible, but essential here,” Spiro wrote.

Offenhartz writes for the Associated Press.