NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Mayor Eric Adams said that the city can now "close the book" on his federal corruption case, which was dismissed “with prejudice” Wednesday, meaning the charges can't be brought again in the future.
The order from Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Ho ends an extraordinary legal drama that roiled the Justice Department, created turmoil in City Hall and left Adams’ mayoralty hanging by a thread. Read the judge's decision below.
The judge's order spares Adams from having to govern in a way that pleases President Donald Trump, whose Justice Department had requested the charges be dropped so Adams could help the administration with immigration enforcement. But the decision also denied prosecutors the ability to potentially bring the criminal case back after the mayoral election.
“In light of DOJ’s rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor’s freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents,” the judge wrote.
“To be clear, the Court again emphasizes that it does not express any opinion as to the merits of the case or whether the prosecution of Mayor Adams ‘should’ move forward," Ho wrote.
Ho acknowledged that his power in this situation was limited, writing that courts cannot “force the Department of Justice to prosecute a defendant.”
Adams lauded the judge's decision during an address outside Gracie Mansion, saying he can now focus solely on doing his job.
“As I have repeatedly said, I have always been solely beholden to the people of this city. No special interests, no political opponents, but just everyday New Yorkers, just you," the mayor said.
Adams also apologized to New Yorkers "for having to go through this with me" and said he's "happy the city can now close the book on this."
He closed by holding up a copy and encouraging people to read FBI Director Kash Patel’s 2023 book “Government Gangsters," which alleged a “sinister cabal” at the heart of government.
Asked about his chances for reelection, Adams said as he walked up the steps of Gracie Mansion: "I’m gonna win."
Ho’s decision came just days after Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro urged the judge to issue a ruling in the case, noting that Adams has a busy reelection campaign ahead. Spiro praised the dismissal, saying in a statement: “The case against Eric Adams should have never been brought in the first place—and finally today that case is gone forever."
The mayor was charged last year with conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery following allegations that he accepted illegal campaign contributions and travel perks from people, including a Turkish official, seeking to buy influence while he was Brooklyn borough president.
Adams—who has maintained his innocence and told the judge “I have not committed a crime”—pleaded not guilty and was set to go on trial in April. But in February, Trump's Justice Department moved to drop the case, arguing that the charges were filed too close to Adams' reelection campaign and would interfere with the mayor assisting with the Trump administration's immigration agenda.
The Justice Department also left open the option to refile the case after the mayoral election in November, leading to accusations of a quid pro quo.
In response to the extraordinary move from the Justice Department, Ho canceled the trial and brought in an outside lawyer to provide neutral advice on the case. The court-appointed attorney issued recommendations in early March for Ho to grant the Justice Department's unusual request to dismiss the case. The recommendations included one saying that federal prosecutors should also be barred from reviving the charges—recommendations the judge ultimately implemented with his decision on Wednesday.
Reacting to the dismissal of the charges, a DOJ spokesperson said Wednesday: "This case was an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources. We are focused on arresting and prosecuting terrorists while returning the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.