Mayor Adams' Lawyers Want Case Dropped For 'Prosecutorial Misconduct'

NEW YORK CITY — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has asked a federal judge to dismiss his federal corruption case after accusing prosecutors of misconduct, according to court documents filed Wednesday.

Adams' lawyers alleged the misconduct happened when the letter from then-U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to Attorney General Pam Bondi leaked to the press.

In the letter, Sassoon detailed why charges shouldn't be dropped and mentioned an alleged “quid pro quo” where the mayor would assist with immigration enforcement only if the indictment were dismissed, Patch previously reported.

According to documents, Adams’ lawyers said Sassoon’s letter was “part of an extraordinary flurry of leaked internal Justice Department correspondence”

They argued that the public exposure of letter "had violated Adams’s constitutional rights and interfered with his ability to receive a fair trial."

In addition, the leaks apparently violated statutory and court rules, including the Justice Department’s policies designed to prevent prosecutorial misconduct, according to the Associated Press.

Last Friday, federal judge Dale Ho appointed an independent attorney to argue against the Justice Department's motion that Mayor Eric Adam's corruption case should be dismissed, Patch previously reported.

As part of his decision, Ho ordered Adam's April 21 corruption trial adjourned, as he wants to hear from the independent attorney before making a ruling whether to drop the charges.

U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement has been chosen to argue against the DOJ.

Clement has been asked to file his arguments by March 7 with a potential hearing being held on March 14.

In a five-page court order filed on Friday, Ho said he made the decision due to "the public importance of his case, which calls for careful deliberation."

Adams faces one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, two counts of solicitation of a contribution from a foreign national and one count of bribery, Patch previously reported.

Adams received benefits and perks from Turkish officials, including free and discounted airline tickets and hotel accommodations, according to an unsealed indictment.

The perks were worth more than $100,000, prosecutors said. Adams has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

This is a developing story. This post may be updated.