NY Mayor Eric Adams seeks full dismissal of corruption allegations in court filing
New York City leader Eric Adams has asked a judge to permanently dismiss fraud charges, escalating a dispute with Trump’s DOJ. The case has caused multiple Justice Department resignations and raised concerns about political interference in federal prosecutions.
In a legal move, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has requested the permanent rejection of federal corruption indictments against him. This escalates his dispute with the DOJ under President Trump. Adams is accused of accepting bribes from Turkish officials, a case that has led to multiple Department of Justice (DOJ) resignations and concerns over political interference.
Earlier this month, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a Trump appointee, ordered Manhattan prosecutors to drop the case, citing immigration policy priorities. Danielle Sassoon, then-Manhattan U.S. Attorney, resigned, along with seven prosecutors, opposing the directive. Despite the DOJ’s motion to dismiss without prejudice, Adams' legal team now seeks dismissal with prejudice to block future charges.
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Why is Eric Adams pushing for a permanent dismissal of his bribery matter?
Eric Adams is seeking a final case termination of corruption counts to prevent the case from being reopened. His attorney, Alex Spiro, argues that leaked federal communications, including a resignation letter from Danielle Sassoon, have compromised Adams’ right to a fair trial. In a court filing, Spiro stated, "The government's conduct has destroyed whatever presumption of innocence Mayor Adams had left." This move comes as Adams faces political pressure, with some New York Democrats questioning his ties to the Trump administration.
The proceeding stems from allegations that Adams accepted payoffs from Turkish officers during his time as Brooklyn Borough President in 2014. Prosecutors demand he used his influence to help speed up fire safety approvals for a Turkic consular building. The charges led to a battle with Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, who directed lawyers to drop the prosecutiom without prejudice, allowing it to be restored. Adams initially agreed but now seeks to permanently close the inquiry.
What are the next steps in Eric Adams' corruption case?
U.S. District Judge Dale Ho has appointed Paul Clement, a former U.S. Solicitor General, to provide an independent review before making a final decision. Clement, known for his work under President George W. Bush, will submit his findings by March 7, with potential oral arguments on March 14. Adams' team is urging the bench to act swiftly, arguing that prolonged uncertainty damages his ability to govern effectively. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has yet to respond to Adams’ latest request.
Beyond the courtroom, the controversy has fueled political tensions in New York. Some Democrats fear Adams’ previous agreement to keep the situation open leaves him vulnerable to federal pressure. Governor Kathy Hochul, while declining to remove him, has suggested greater oversight of the mayor’s office. With the upcoming audit and civic dialogues intensifying, the final ruling on Adams' issue could have lasting implications for his career and future investigations.