A federal judge has now reportedly dismissed the criminal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, marking a significant decision in the ongoing political landscape.
The case was dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning the Department of Justice (DOJ) is permanently barred from reintroducing the bribery and campaign contribution charges against him.
This ruling comes after the DOJ had controversially sought to drop the charges, arguing that prosecuting Adams would hinder his ability to cooperate with President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
District Court Judge Dale Ho rejected the DOJ’s request for a dismissal “without prejudice,” which would have allowed future refiled charges.
In his ruling, Judge Ho emphasized that the decision did not address Adams’ guilt or innocence but noted the troubling implications of the DOJ’s rationale.
He expressed concern that dismissing the case without prejudice could create the perception that Adams’ freedom depended on his compliance with federal policies, undermining the principle of equal justice.
The case originally involved allegations of a decade-long campaign contribution scheme and bribery, including claims that Adams accepted illegal donations for his 2021 campaign and luxury travel facilitated by a Turkish official.
Following his indictment, Adams reportedly sought to align himself with Trump, possibly as a strategy to secure a case dismissal.
Judge Ho criticized the DOJ for suggesting that political compliance should play a role in prosecutorial decisions, calling it “unprecedented” and a harmful precedent.
He stated that the evidence did not support claims of improper motives by the prosecutors involved.
Adams’ attorney celebrated the dismissal, asserting that the case should never have been initiated, while the DOJ framed it as a misuse of political power.
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