Abdelrahman
Justice Department Drops Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
New York (AP) – On Monday, the Justice Department made a significant decision, instructing federal prosecutors to withdraw corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. This dramatic shift from usual practices was justified by claims that the ongoing case hindered Adams’ capacity to support the president’s efforts to combat illegal immigration.
In a memo acquired by The Associated Press, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed New York prosecutors to promptly dismiss the bribery allegations against Adams. Bove clarified that the dismissal was unrelated to the case’s evidence but was a response to the timing of the charges coinciding with Adams’ reelection campaign, which was diverting his focus from key initiatives related to the Trump administration’s priorities on law and order.
“The ongoing prosecution has unjustly limited Mayor Adams’ ability to concentrate fully on issues like illegal immigration and violent crime,” Bove noted in the memo.
Furthermore, the memo instructed New York prosecutors to refrain from any further investigative actions against the Democrat until after the upcoming mayoral election in November. It left the door open for potential recharging post-review, depending on future circumstances.
This intervention is an unusual break from established Justice Department guidelines. Typically, high-ranking officials, including President Donald Trump during his first term, remain under investigation without claims that they deserve exemption due to official duties.
Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, emphasized the significance of the Justice Department’s directive, stating it upholds the mayor’s assertion of innocence. "Now, thankfully, the mayor and New York can move beyond this troubling and misguided prosecution," Spiro, who also represents Elon Musk, remarked.
Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, opted not to comment on the matter. The charges were initiated under former U.S. attorney Damien Williams, who left before Trump assumed the presidency.
The memo comes amidst speculation that Trump may have influenced the decision to close the case against Adams, who faced accusations in September for allegedly accepting bribes in the form of discounted travel and illicit campaign contributions from foreign individuals seeking to gain his political influence.
Adams, known for his centrist Democratic approach, has notably shifted further right following the indictment, causing friction within his party. Rather than limiting collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as he previously promised, Adams has expressed an openness to modifying the city’s sanctuary policies and has refrained from publicly criticizing a president whose immigration approach he once deemed "abusive." Recently, he suggested that Trump’s policies might be more beneficial for New York than those of former President Joe Biden.
Opponents in the Democratic mayoral primary have alleged that Adams is aligning with Trump in hopes of receiving leniency. "Instead of advocating for New Yorkers, Adams is merely serving one individual," said Brad Lander, the city’s comptroller and a mayoral contender. Another primary challenger, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, called for an inquiry into whether Adams struck any deals with the Trump administration that violate city laws.
Trump, who was convicted last year for falsifying business records related to hush money, has shown support for Adams, hinting at a potential pardon and suggesting the mayor was unfairly treated. Trump, who has faced his own DOJ challenges, resonated with Adams recently at a Manhattan event, further emphasizing their shared experiences of perceived persecution.
While the investigation into Adams began prior to his conflicts with Biden over immigration funding, Bove’s memo reflected some of the claims made by both Trump and Adams regarding politicization. “It cannot be overlooked that Mayor Adams criticized the previous administration’s immigration policies before the charges were initiated,” Bove stated.
The case against Adams centers around allegations of receiving illegal campaign donations and lavish travel perks valued at over $100,000 while serving as Brooklyn Borough president. The indictment contends that a Turkish official involved in arranging the trips coerced Adams into providing favors, including lobbying efforts related to a new diplomatic building.
Moreover, prosecutors allege they have evidence showing Adams directed his campaign team to seek foreign donations and disguised these contributions to meet the requirements of a city program intended to match small-dollar donations. Under federal law, foreign nationals are prohibited from making political contributions in U.S. elections.
As of January 6, prosecutors had indicated that their investigation into Adams was still active, stating they were uncovering additional evidence of criminal conduct.
The responsibility of carrying out the dismissal order will lie with Sassoon, who stepped into the role immediately after Trump’s inauguration. Sassoon’s appointment was initially intended to be temporary, and Trump subsequently nominated Jay Clayton, former chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, for confirmation by the Senate.
In addition to Adams, other senior aides have come under scrutiny, with federal investigators previously seizing devices from various city officials, including a police commissioner and deputy mayors, all of whom have denied misconduct yet resigned.
In December, Adams’ closest advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, faced indictment on charges of accepting $100,000 in bribes tied to real estate projects.
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This report was contributed by Durkin Richer and Tucker from Washington.
