NEW YORK – New York Mayor Eric Adams is seeking to move up the start of his corruption trial so he can focus on his re-election campaign this spring.

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

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

Adams, a Democrat, was indicted in September for accepting luxury travel and illegal election benefits from a Turkish official seeking political favors. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and insisted he will remain in office while he fights this case.

He is expected to face a contested Democratic primary in June, with several opponents already announcing their interest in challenging him.

Requests to the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan went unanswered.

At a hearing earlier this month, prosecutors said they would be ready for a trial when it was scheduled, but noted they were still going through tons of seized records and had no still accessed Adams’ personal cell phone. According to his indictment, Adams changed his password just before giving the phone to authorities, then claimed he forgot it.

In his Monday letter, Spiro said he would waive access to some investigative documents if it meant speeding up the trial date. Under the current timeline, he anticipated a verdict would be reached in late May, giving the mayor only a short window of time to clear his name with voters.

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

Offenhartz writes for the Associated Press.