New York City Mayor Eric Adams to Face Federal Judge Over Justice Department’s Request to Drop Corruption Charges
New York City Mayor Eric Adams will appear before a federal judge on Wednesday as the Justice Department seeks to dismiss corruption charges against him. The decision comes just weeks before his scheduled April trial, raising questions about the abrupt shift in the prosecution’s stance.
Judge Schedules Key Hearing Amid Justice Department Shake-Up
Judge Dale E. Ho, of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, scheduled an afternoon hearing in a written order on Tuesday. This marks his first response to the Justice Department’s Friday request to drop the case after a week of internal turmoil that led to the resignations of several senior prosecutors in Washington and New York.
In his order, Ho directed both parties to address the government’s rationale for dismissing the case, the scope of Adams’s written consent, and the procedural steps for resolving the motion. He referenced a legal precedent from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, emphasizing that while the Executive Branch generally has discretion over prosecutions, courts must ensure that dismissals align with the public interest.
Growing Calls for Judicial Inquiry Into DOJ’s Conduct
The request to drop charges has sparked concerns among former federal prosecutors, with some urging Ho to scrutinize the Justice Department’s actions.
On Monday, Justice Connection, an organization supporting Justice Department employees, released a letter signed by over 900 former federal prosecutors. The letter expressed alarm over recent developments and commended career prosecutors who upheld ethical standards despite political pressure.
Separately, three former U.S. attorneys from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut filed court papers urging Ho to consider appointing a special prosecutor or ordering the disclosure of all evidence to state and local authorities if misconduct is found.
Adams Faces Corruption Allegations Amid Political Fallout
Adams has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his tenure as Brooklyn borough president. Prosecutors accused him of accepting over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel perks from a Turkish official and business leaders seeking political favors.
The case has ignited a rare public dispute within the Justice Department. Emil Bove, the department’s second-in-command, clashed with interim Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten, who led the prosecution.
Bove argued that the case had unfairly hindered Adams’s ability to address issues like illegal immigration and violent crime. However, Sassoon and Scotten strongly opposed dropping the charges.
Wave of Resignations Follows DOJ’s Decision
Last week, Sassoon and five high-ranking Justice Department officials resigned in protest. The following day, Scotten also stepped down, denouncing the decision to withdraw the case and warning against using legal threats to influence political figures.
“No system of ordered liberty can allow the government to use the carrot of dismissing charges, or the stick of threatening to bring them again, to induce an elected official to support its policy objectives,” Scotten wrote in his resignation letter.
Political Fallout and Calls for Adams to Step Down
Amid the controversy, Adams confirmed on Monday that four of his top deputies had resigned due to the Justice Department’s handling of the case. Some Democrats have since called for his resignation.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday that she is weighing the possibility of removing Adams from office as the scandal continues to unfold.
👉 Stay informed with real-time updates and in-depth analysis at NewsLink7.com. Fact-checked news that matters. Follow us 24/7, 365 days. There are no sides, just the truth. Explore more stories and stay ahead with NewsLink7.com.