Eric Adams' federal corruption case dismissed by judge
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams visits "Fox & Friends" on Feb. 14 in New York City. Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images
A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed the criminal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D).
The big picture: The move comes after Adams aligned himself with the White House and the DOJ requested that his case be dismissed. Top federal prosecutors resigned rather than withdraw the indictment, resisting political pressure from others in the Trump administration.
Driving the news: The order from Judge Dale Ho marks the end of Adams' case after the Justice Department sought to have his charges dropped.
- Ho ordered for the case to be dismissed "with prejudice," meaning that the government can't re-use the indictment in the future.
- The DOJ had requested for the case to be dismissed without prejudice, saying it interfered with Adams' ability to govern, including carry out immigration policy.
- But Ho wrote that "dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor's freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration."
Between the lines: Ho concluded that there was "no good reason" offer why the dismissal should be without prejudice.
- He acknowledged that some would find the decision "unsatisfying" but explained that he can't order the DOJ to continue prosecuting Adams.
Zoom out: Ho's ruling came after Adams' attorney requested in a Monday letter for the judge to issue a decision "as soon as practicable," noting that Adams' petitions for his candidacy for mayor are due Thursday.
- Adams is facing a heated primary race in June against a slate of Democratic challengers, including former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
- The general election will be held in November.
Catch up quick: At least seven top prosecutors in New York City and Washington, D.C., resigned earlier this year rather than obey a DOJ order to withdraw the indictment.
- At the behest of Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, two prosecutors ultimately did file the request for a dismissal of the case "without prejudice," meaning the charges could be reinstated.
- The request, signed by Bove, argued that the indictment interferes with the mayor's ability to do his job.
- Bove also argued that withdrawing the charges would make it more likely that Adams would comply with the Trump administration's immigration policies, according to two prosecutors' resignation letters.
- Adams then appeared in two joint interviews with Trump's immigration czar, Tom Homan, and promised to do just that.
Context: Adams was the first NYC mayor to face criminal charges while in office.
- He was indicted last year on charges of bribery and fraud following a federal investigation that his campaign illegally conspired with foreign businesspeople and Turkish officials.
- Adams denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
- He was scheduled to go to trial in April.
More from Axios:
- Jack Smith among 900 former prosecutors alarmed by Trump's DOJ
- DOJ moves to drop Eric Adams charges after 7 prosecutors resign
- Trump's DOJ is at war with its own prosecutors
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional details from the order.
