INV-040 · Money & ethics · Misuse of office
Justice Department drops the Eric Adams corruption case
Stage 5 of 5: Outcome (Case dismissed by court) · Closed, settled, decided · Last development 29 Jul 2025
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered prosecutors to drop bribery and illegal foreign campaign donation charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The order cited Adams's help with federal immigration enforcement, not the strength of the case. Acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon refused and resigned, and other career prosecutors in New York and Washington resigned rather than file the motion. Judge Dale Ho dismissed the case with prejudice, writing that "everything here smacks of a bargain". Bove was later confirmed as a federal appeals judge.
The judge took no position on whether Adams was guilty. Bove denied any quid pro quo, and Adams has maintained his innocence. No finding of wrongdoing by any DOJ official has been made public.
- People
- Emil Bove, Danielle Sassoon, Eric Adams, Department of Justice
- Agencies
- Justice Dept
- Reviewed by
- U.S. District Court (S.D.N.Y.), DOJ Inspector General (requested), Senate Judiciary Democrats
Timeline
The Senate confirms Bove to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 50-49. [3]
Sens. Schiff and Booker ask the DOJ inspector general whether it is investigating Bove, citing the Adams dismissal and whistleblower complaints. [2]
Judge Dale Ho dismisses the case with prejudice so it can never be refiled, writing: "Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions." [1]
The Washington Post reports that seven lawyers refused or resigned before the department found someone to sign the dismissal motion. [2]
Acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon writes to Attorney General Bondi that she cannot file the dismissal and resigns. [2]
Responses
- Emil Bove: Said at his confirmation hearing that there was no quid pro quo. [2]
Who is acting on it
- Resignation Acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon: Refused to file the dismissal and resigned (12 Feb 2025, What happened next)
- Asked for an investigation Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ): Asked the DOJ inspector general whether it is investigating Bove (28 Jul 2025, No reply or result recorded yet)
Sources
Cite this case
Public Trust Tracker. "Justice Department drops the Eric Adams corruption case" (INV-040). Last updated 29 Jul 2025. https://publictrusttracker.org/case/inv-040-justice-department-drops-the-eric-adams-corruption-case/
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