NEW YORK (AP) - A lawyer representing New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed optimism on Wednesday regarding the criminal case currently facing the Democrat, asserting that it is "dead and buried." Despite the Justice Department official who ordered the charges to be dismissed leaving open the possibility for the case to be revived next fall, attorney Alex Spiro maintained that there is no imminent threat to Adams.
Spiro informed reporters, "This case is over. It will not be brought back," further claiming, "Despite a lot of fanfare and sensational claims, ultimately there was no evidence that he broke any laws ever." His declaration comes amidst a complex situation regarding the Justice Department's recent decision, indicated in a two-page memo sent on Monday.
The memo, authored by acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, clarified that the halt of the case was not due to an assessment of the proof against Adams but was made to allow him to concentrate on executing priorities from the Trump administration concerning immigration and crime. Bove explicitly stated that the directive was contingent on Adams agreeing to the possibility of the case being reopened in November, following the mayoral election.
Such unusual conditions have sparked skepticism among some Democrats, particularly from Adams' competitors in the Democratic primary. Critics allege that Adams may have consented to support Trump's stringent immigration policies in exchange for the dismissal of the charges against him. However, Spiro rejected these allegations, affirming that no promises had been made by Adams.
Nonetheless, Spiro did concede that immigration and other policy matters were indeed part of discussions between the mayor’s legal team and Justice Department representatives prior to the decision to halt the prosecution. He stated, "The functioning of the government, and the mayor's ability to enforce national security issues, terrorism threats, immigration issues, and everything else, of course, came up."
The order specifically instructs Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, to dismiss the charges "as soon as is practicable." A spokesperson for Sassoon's office has chosen not to comment on the matter; however, as of two days following the memo, there has yet to be any new filings in the case, and according to Spiro, Adams has not signed any related documents.
In September, Adams pleaded not guilty to allegations of accepting approximately $100,000 worth of free or heavily discounted international flights, hotel accommodations, meals, and entertainment, which were purportedly in exchange for illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and members of the Turkish business community. Prosecutors further contend that Adams directed his campaign staff to solicit donations from foreign nationals, which violates federal law. These contributions were allegedly obscured to enable Adams to qualify for a city program that offers a generous, publicly-funded match for smaller donations.
Adams' trial was originally set to commence in April, but the recent developments surrounding the case have shifted the narrative, leaving many to speculate about the implications for his political future and the upcoming mayoral election.
