U.S. Attorney For SDNY Resigns After Being Told To Drop Adams Charges

NEW YORK CITY — The acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York has resigned after she was ordered by the Department of Justice to drop federal corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams.

Danielle R. Sassoon, who took over the office last month, announced her resignation in a statement to colleagues on Thursday, according to an NBC News report.

Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove in a two-page memo ordered prosecutors to dismiss the case "without prejudice" on Monday, Patch previously reported.

The memo obtained by the Associated Press argues that the ongoing case has restricted Adams' ability to "devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime" in the city.

Bove also said the timing of the charges and actions by former U.S. Attorney Damian Williams had "threatened the integrity of the proceedings."

On Thursday, Adams, in a broadcasted address at City Hall, said the DOJ's decision proved his innocence.

"I never asked anyone to break the law on my behalf or on behalf of my campaign, never. I never traded my power as an elected official for any personal benefit,” the mayor said. “I thank the Justice Department for its honesty. Now, we can put this cruel episode behind us and focus entirely on the future of our city. It’s time to move forward.”

This is a breaking news story. This post will be updated.