Attorneys for New York City Mayo Eric Adams seek to dismiss corruption charges
Attorneys representing New York City Mayor Eric Adams have made a bold move to expedite the dismissal of all charges against their client. In a recent filing, Adams’ legal team urged U.S. District Judge Dale Ho to grant the Justice Department’s request to drop the corruption case against the mayor swiftly and with prejudice. The attorneys argued that a series of leaks by prosecutors had infringed upon Adams’ right to a fair trial, citing the damaging impact of a leaked resignation letter by former acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon.
The leaked letter, dated Feb. 12, allegedly eroded any remaining presumption of innocence for Mayor Adams. The legal team contended that the leaks not only violated Adams’ constitutional rights but also contravened statutory and court rules, including the Justice Department’s own policies against prosecutorial misconduct.
Despite the Justice Department’s request to dismiss the charges, they will only be dropped upon approval from Judge Ho. Adams was indicted last fall on five federal corruption and bribery charges related to alleged solicitation of illegal campaign contributions and receiving luxury travel perks from Turkish foreign nationals. He has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In a surprising turn of events, U.S. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove recently instructed federal prosecutors to abandon the corruption case against Mayor Adams, citing the diversion of resources from other Justice Department priorities. However, Judge Ho declined to immediately grant the motion to dismiss at a court hearing, expressing the need for further deliberation.
To delve deeper into the matter, Judge Ho appointed former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement to scrutinize the Justice Department’s motives for dropping the charges and to argue against the dismissal motion. Briefs are slated to be filed by March 7, with a potential hearing scheduled for March 14.
The decision to retain the charges against Adams is considered highly unusual, as no U.S. appellate court has supported a federal judge who declined an unopposed motion to dismiss. The legal saga surrounding Mayor Adams continues to unfold, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting the final outcome.
Breanne Deppisch, a seasoned politics reporter for Fox News Digital, closely monitors the developments surrounding the Adams case and other national news, with a keen focus on the Justice Department and FBI. Her insightful coverage provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies at play in this high-profile legal battle.
