A federal judge formally dismissed the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday (2), responding to the controversial request from the Department of Justice that sparked public protests and prompted the largest mass resignation of federal prosecutors in decades.
The order from U.S. Judge Dale Ho closes the case against Adams, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and other charges after being indicted last year.
Ho stated that he was dismissing the case with ‘prejudice’, meaning the government could not bring the charges again based on the same evidence — contrary to the Department of Justice’s request to dismiss the case without prejudice.
Adams was set to go to trial in April. However, the new leadership of the Department of Justice under the Trump administration ordered New York prosecutors to drop the case in February.
“In light of the DOJ’s rationale, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the inevitable perception that the mayor’s freedom depends on his ability to execute the administration’s immigration priorities, and that he may be more subject to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents,” Ho wrote.
“This appearance is inevitable, and advises in favor of dismissal with prejudice,” he added.
Source: AP