A federal judge has cast doubt on the Justice Department’s abrupt request to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, signaling a pivotal battle over election-year accountability. Prosecutors allege Adams accepted over $100,000 in illegal campaign gifts and luxury travel from Turkish entities during his tenure as Brooklyn borough president—charges he denies.
Judge Dale E. Ho refused to fast-track the dismissal during a Wednesday hearing, demanding clarity on whether the DOJ’s sudden reversal stemmed from political motives. The controversy intensified after seven federal prosecutors resigned in protest, condemning Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove’s claim that pursuing charges would distract Adams from addressing “illegal immigration and violent crime.”
“Dismissal for no reason other than influencing the mayor’s decisions would be an abuse of power,” wrote former interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon before resigning.
The fallout included:
- Five senior DOJ prosecutors stepping down by Friday
- Over 900 ex-prosecutors signing a letter supporting ethical resolve
- Key witnesses prepared to testify about obstruction of justice
Bove’s directive, met with fierce resistance, sparked accusations of a “quid pro quo” between Adams and federal officials. Meanwhile, former Watergate prosecutors urged Judge Ho to appoint a special counsel, warning of grave implications for judicial independence.
Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro maintains no such deal existed, but mounting scrutiny threatens to overshadow his reelection campaign. As bipartisan legal experts rally behind dissenting prosecutors, this case tests the fragile boundary between justice and political expediency.