NYC Mayor Adams Turns to Elon Musk’s Go-to Lawyer Alex Spiro (2)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has hired high-profile Quinn Emanuel partner Alex Spiro as he faces federal bribery, fraud and campaign finance charges unsealed Thursday, a source familiar with the matter said.

Spiro is one of the best-known lawyers in the country, regularly representing Elon Musk, including in his $44 billion takeover of what was then Twitter Inc. He’s also represented celebrities including Jay-Z and Meghan Thee Stallion.

Spiro also represented Alec Baldwin on charges he faced as a result of a fatal shooting during the production of the film Rust that were later dismissed during trial.

Federal prosecutors allege Adams for years accepted improper benefits, including air travel and luxury hotel stays in Turkey, while failing to disclose the gifts. Adams also faces charges that his campaign improperly benefited from a New York City program that provides campaign funds for candidates who receive public donations. The mayor applied for those funds based on contributions from foreign nationals, which the law prohibits, the indictment says.

In a video Adams released after news of his indictment became public, the mayor declared his innocence and said he would remain in office and fight any charges that are filed.

“These charges will be entirely false, based on lies,” Adams said in the video. “I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, I would become a target. And a target I became.”

Adams is also represented by WilmerHale partners Brendan McGuire and Boyd Johnson III, the New York Times reported. McGuire, who returned to WilmerHale in 2023 after serving as chief counsel to Adams, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Spiro in a statement criticized prosecutors for their handling of the indictment, including his anticipation that they would hold a “dog-and-pony show” news conference aimed at “spinning in front of the cameras and tainting jurors.”

“We have known for some time that they would try to find a way to bring a case against Mayor Adams,” Spiro said. “We will see them in court.”

Earlier Thursday, Spiro said federal agents appeared at the Mayor’s official residence to “create a spectacle” and take Adams’ phone.

Adams had for months faced investigations by the Manhattan US Attorney’s office, run by Damian Williams, who has pursued corruption cases against other politicians, including US Senator Robert Menendez.

A spokesperson for Adams did not immediately respond to a request for comment.