Eric Adams, mayor of New York City (NYC), will stand trial on corruption charges starting April 21 next year, a US judge ruled on Friday (November 1). U.S. District Judge Dale Ho set the trial date at a hearing in federal court in Manhattan.

Adams, 64, is the first of the city’s 110 mayors to be charged with a federal crime while in office. A Reuters news agency report said at least seven top officials in his administration have resigned in recent months as multiple federal corruption investigations engulf City Hall.

The indictment accused Adams of accepting flight upgrades and other luxury travel benefits valued at $100,000 along with illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals seeking to buy his influence.

In exchange, prosecutors say, Adams performed favors to benefit the Turkish government, including pressuring the fire department in 2021 to approve the opening of a consulate he deemed unsafe.

Adams held a different elected office at the time, Brooklyn borough president, but by then it was clear he would become mayor, according to a report by the Associated Press news agency.

Last month, Adams pleaded not guilty to the charges and vowed to remain in office while preparing his legal defense.

Prosecutors have said they have not yet been able to decipher a potentially crucial piece of evidence: Adams’ cellphone.

According to his indictment, Adams changed his password just before turning the phone over to authorities and later claimed he forgot it.

Lawyers for the 64-year-old man are fighting to have the bribery charge dismissed.

Lawyers argued that the charge did not meet the crime threshold recently lowered by the U.S. Supreme Court and should not apply to Adams because it involves allegations dating back to before he became mayor.

“The U.S. attorney had trouble defining what the ‘quo’ is here,” argued Adams’ attorney, John Bash, referring to a “quid pro quo.”

(With contributions from agencies)