U.S. prosecutors have firmly countered New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ assertion that a bribery charge against him does not constitute a federal crime.

Adams, who is facing a five-count criminal corruption indictment, is pushing for the immediate dismissal of one specific bribery charge. In a legal response filed on Friday in Manhattan federal court, prosecutors urged the presiding judge to reject Adams’ claims.

“Adams claims that accepting tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of benefits in exchange for pressuring a City agency is ‘routine’ and ‘common,’” the prosecutors stated. “But however routine that may have been for Adams, the law permits a jury to conclude that it was nonetheless illegal.”

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The crux of the government’s case lies in allegations that Adams accepted free and discounted luxury travel from a Turkish government official. In return for these benefits, prosecutors argue, Adams exerted his influence to pressure city officials into facilitating the opening of a new Turkish consulate building, bypassing a necessary fire safety review.

Adams contends that the government has failed to demonstrate that the travel benefits were received in exchange for his official authority to expedite the consulate’s opening. His legal team, led by attorney Alex Spiro, faces the challenge of convincing the judge that even if the government’s allegations are valid, they do not rise to the level of a crime.

Spiro has indicated that he will also seek to have the remaining four counts against Adams dismissed prior to trial. The outcome of this case holds significant implications not only for Adams’ political future but also for the perception of corruption within the city’s leadership.