Abdelrahman
Authors: Madeline Halpert & Mike Wendling, BBC News
Caption: Danielle Sassoon, a Republican attorney, supported the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat.
In a significant development, the leading prosecutor in Manhattan has stepped down after refusing directives to dismiss a corruption investigation involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Danielle Sassoon, who was recently elevated to her position by former President Donald Trump, asserted that terminating the case would establish a "breathtaking and perilous precedent."
Sassoon’s resignation, paired with the departures of at least two other high-ranking officials from the Justice Department, highlights the unrest surrounding substantial modifications being imposed by the Trump administration on federal law enforcement practices.
The indictment presented against Adams last September alleges that he improperly accepted over $100,000 in gifts from Turkish nationals in return for favors, claims which he has categorically denied.
Originally initiated by officials appointed during President Joe Biden’s administration, the case has recently faced renewed scrutiny. On Monday, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a Trump appointee, requested Sassoon and the New York district attorneys to withdraw the case. Bove argued that the ongoing prosecution limited the mayor’s capacity to manage critical issues such as illegal immigration and violent crime, priorities of the Trump administration.
Bove did not comment on the specifics of the case but indicated that the Justice Department might reinstate charges after November’s mayoral election.
Sassoon, however, chose to uphold the indictment, outlining her position in a letter to Bove’s superior, Attorney General Pam Bondi, asserting that there was no justifiable reason for dismissing the case. In her correspondence, she emphasized that the legal standards did not support a dismissal and expressed confidence in the mayor’s culpability regarding the alleged crimes.
Sassoon also revealed that during a meeting with Bove and representatives for Adams, the mayor’s team had proposed what appeared to be a "quid pro quo," suggesting that Adam would assist with administration initiatives only if the indictment was dropped.
Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, refuted the existence of such a deal, declaring that no negotiations tied to immigration enforcement were made, and asserting the accusation as completely false.
In Bove’s response to Sassoon’s resignation, he accused her of continuing a politically motivated prosecution despite being explicitly instructed to halt the case. Furthermore, he announced that other prosecutors involved in the investigation would be placed on leave and subject to an internal review, and Sassoon would also be investigated.
On the same day, two additional prosecutors from the Justice Department resigned: John Keller, who previously led the public corruption unit, and Kevin Driscoll, a senior official within the department’s criminal division. Reports later emerged of three more resignations within the corruption unit.
Sassoon, a 38-year-old attorney, joined Manhattan’s federal prosecutor’s office in 2016 and was a part of the prosecution team for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
Collaboration with the Trump Administration
Democrat Mayor Adams has shown a willingness to work alongside the Trump administration regarding its immigration policies. Following a meeting with Trump’s immigration advisor, Tom Homan, Adams concurred on the re-establishment of a federal office at Rikers Island jail.
In his statement, Adams expressed, “I aim to collaborate with the new federal administration to identify common ground and improve the lives of New Yorkers.”
On the verge of inauguration, Adams met with Trump in Florida and attended the swearing-in ceremony on January 20, 2023. At that time, he denied discussing his legal challenges with the new president.
Recently, Trump reiterated to reporters that he never requested the dismissal of the charges against Adams. Nevertheless, Bove’s correspondence characterized his directive to drop the case as "direct orders implementing the policy of a duly elected President."
Background of the Charges
Last autumn, Mayor Adams faced indictment on allegations including wire fraud, bribery, and receiving foreign campaign contributions. The 57-page indictment claims that from 2016, during his tenure as Brooklyn’s borough president, Adams accepted extravagant gifts such as luxury hotel accommodations, fine dining, and complimentary airline upgrades from Turkish citizens.
One notable instance mentioned involves Adams allegedly spending $600 for a two-night stay at an upscale hotel in Istanbul, a trip valued at around $7,000. He has pled not guilty and maintains his innocence regarding all allegations.
