U.S. Judge Adjourns Trial of Mayor Adams over Corruption Charges
Background
On September 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on five federal corruption and bribery charges. The charges stemmed from allegations of soliciting illegal campaign contributions and accepting luxury travel perks from Turkish foreign nationals. Mayor Adams pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied any wrongdoing.
Justice Department’s Request to Drop Charges
On March 1, 2023, U.S. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove requested that prosecutors dismiss all corruption charges against Mayor Adams. Bove argued that the legal proceedings against Adams were detracting from other Justice Department priorities, such as illegal immigration and violent crime.
Judge Ho’s Response
U.S. District Judge Dale Ho held a hearing on the Justice Department’s motion to dismiss on March 1, 2023. During the hearing, Ho declined to immediately dismiss the charges, citing the need to further consider the facts and the unusual nature of the situation. Ho appointed attorney Paul Clement to argue against the motion to dismiss and to assist the court in its decision-making process.
Implications of Judge Ho’s Decision
Judge Ho’s decision to adjourn the trial without dismissing the charges is highly unusual. No U.S. appellate court has ever sided with a federal judge who declined to grant an unopposed motion to dismiss. This decision has the potential to have significant implications for Mayor Adams and the city of New York.
Political Pressure and Calls for Resignation
Even without court action, the allegations against Mayor Adams have already led to political pressure and calls for his resignation. Governor Kathy Hochul has indicated that she is considering using her position to remove Adams as mayor.
Adams’ Statement
Mayor Adams has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that he will not resign. In a statement released on Friday, Adams said, "I want to be crystal clear with New Yorkers: I never offered – nor did anyone offer on my behalf – any trade of my authority as your mayor for an end to my case. Never."
Timeline of Events
- September 2022: Mayor Adams indicted on corruption charges
- March 1, 2023: Justice Department requests dismissal of charges
- March 1, 2023: Judge Ho adjourns trial and declines to dismiss charges
- March 7, 2023: Deadline for filing legal briefs on the motion to dismiss
- March 14, 2023: (If necessary) Hearing on the motion to dismiss
Next Steps
The case will now proceed to a hearing on the motion to dismiss if Judge Ho determines that such a hearing is necessary. The court will consider the arguments of both parties and will ultimately decide whether or not to grant the Justice Department’s request and dismiss the charges against Mayor Adams.
