The US Justice Department on Monday directed federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, multiple US media outlets reported. The decision comes after Adams’ increasing rapprochement with former President Donald Trump.
A memo from the Justice Department, obtained by the New York Times and CNN, stated:
“You are directed, as authorized by the Attorney General, to dismiss the pending charges in United States v. Adams.”
Adams Cleared After Initial Indictment
Adams, who became the first sitting New York mayor to be criminally indicted, had pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud and bribery in September and resisted calls for his resignation. The scandal had cast doubt over his reelection campaign in the November mayoral race.
Adams had claimed—without presenting evidence—that he was being targeted due to his criticism of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. Trump, who is facing multiple legal battles himself, came to Adams’ defense, suggesting that the mayor was being prosecuted for speaking out against open borders.
Adams’ Legal Team Welcomes Dismissal
Following the Justice Department’s decision, Adams’ lawyer Alex Spiro expressed relief in a statement to AFP:
“As I said from the outset, the mayor is innocent—and he would prevail. Today he has.”
Spiro further emphasized that despite “sensational claims,” there was no evidence proving Adams had committed any crimes.
Political Fallout and Alleged Trump Ties
Once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, Adams has recently strengthened ties with Trump allies. In December, he met with former Trump border czar Thomas Homan, a key figure in the crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
Critics on the left have speculated that Adams may be seeking a presidential pardon in exchange for aligning himself with the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, Emil Bove, the Justice Department’s acting deputy attorney general and a former Trump lawyer, accused the previous Manhattan federal prosecutor of pursuing Adams for political reasons. Bove also argued that the indictment had obstructed Adams’ ability to cooperate with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement.
Allegations of Bribery and Corruption
Adams was previously accused of:
- Wire fraud and soliciting illegal campaign donations
- Bribery conspiracy involving Turkish citizens and officials
- Accepting luxury flights, hotel stays, and fine dining in exchange for political favors
One of the most serious allegations involved Adams allegedly pressuring NYC’s fire department to approve Turkey’s new high-rise consulate in Manhattan, despite safety concerns.
With the case now dismissed, Adams looks to move forward from what his legal team calls a “misguided prosecution.”
