A federal judge has permanently dismissed the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, weeks after the Trump administration instructed federal prosecutors to drop the charges.
The ruling comes after the Manhattan judge declared the case dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning the Department of Justice cannot revive the charges based on the same evidence.
Adams had been charged with conspiracy, fraud, illegal campaign contributions, and bribery. The allegations, stemming from an indictment in September, claimed Adams accepted over $100,000 in gifts from Turkish nationals in exchange for political favours. Adams consistently denied the charges.
US District Judge Dale Ho ruled the case’s dismissal would avoid the perception that Adams’ freedom was contingent upon fulfilling federal immigration priorities.
Ho noted that reviving the case could suggest the mayor was more influenced by the federal government than by his constituents.
The move follows pressure from the Trump administration, with acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove ordering the case’s dismissal to avoid hindering Adams’ ability to tackle illegal immigration and violent crime, key Trump administration priorities.
This led to the resignation of Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, who alleged the dismissal was part of a quid pro quo arrangement.
Following the ruling, Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, asserted that the case “should have never been brought” and that justice had prevailed for the mayor and New Yorkers.
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