A Manhattan federal court dismissed Wednesday the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, formally ending an investigation that had triggered intense political tensions and threatened the Democratic mayor’s career.
Adams had been indicted on five counts, including corruption and fraud. Prosecutors alleged he received more than $100,000 in illicit campaign contributions and travel benefits from individuals with interests in his administration, including a government official tied to Turkey. Adams has consistently denied any wrongdoing, calling the case politically motivated.
The dismissal “with prejudice” (i.e., without the possibility of reopening the case or re-filing it in court, as a final decision on the merits of the case) came after the Justice Department under the Trump administration ordered all charges to be dropped.
Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove described the probe as a politically driven effort led by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who was appointed under the Biden administration. Bove argued that the investigation had unfairly stripped Adams of his security clearance, impeding his ability to govern. However, he did not challenge the substance of the allegations, leaving open the possibility of future charges after the November municipal elections.
The case’s dismissal has also sparked turmoil within the Justice Department. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Danielle Sassoon resigned in protest, writing in a letter that “political pressure” had compromised the investigation.
Judge Ho sought legal advice from Paul Clement, who served as attorney general under President George W. Bush. Clement ruled out the possibility of appointing a special prosecutor and called any attempt to reopen the case futile. Instead, he suggested dismissing the case “with prejudice,” preventing a future reopening to avoid suspicions of political interference – possibly also to prevent the threat of reopening the federal case from politically conditioning Adams by placing him under the yoke of the Trump administration.
With the legal cloud lifted, Adams can now focus on his reelection campaign. However, he faces a tough race. Former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo leads in the polls, and the legal battle has eroded Adams’ support within his own party. The election is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
