Eric Adams deflects questions about bribery as potential witness speaks

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday delivered his most thorough public defence to date since his indictment on federal bribery charges, insisting the case was a "test" that would not distract him from governing as he deflected specific questions about the investigation for more than an hour on Tuesday.

Yet even as the mayor began to address reporters alone beneath a City Hall rotunda, a potential witness in one of the sprawling investigations was wrapping up his own news briefing steps away, complaining he had been the victim of a corrupt "shakedown".

The whiplash-inducing morning at City Hall reflected the deepening tumult that has gripped the Democrat's administration in recent weeks, raising questions about whether Adams can continue managing the nation's largest city while shuttling between court appearances and contending with an exodus of top deputies.

As he stepped to the podium, a smiling Adams began his comments with a favourite quip, "This is going in my book."

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