Washington - The Justice Department told New York federal prosecutors to abandon its corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove sent a memorandum on Monday directing prosecutors in southern New York to waive the charges.
The amazing decision is Department lawyers meet with Adams' attorney Manhattan federal prosecutors In late January, senior officials discussed allegations against the embattled mayor.
In September, Adams is Being prosecuted It includes five charges, including bribery, conspiracy and campaign financial violations. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. The mayor's trial is scheduled to begin in April.
The decision to discard the charges still needs to be formally submitted by the prosecutor and approved by the judge who oversees the case.
Since his prosecution, Adams has accompanied President Trump and his members of the administration, meeting with Mr. Trump in Florida before taking office and inaugurating in Washington, D.C., and the mayor also attended the capital's last week Country prayer breakfast. Adams said he did not discuss his corruption case with Mr. Trump at the Florida conference.
Federal immigration agents have stepped up enforcement actions across the country, including New York. But this city has To a large extent avoided It is the goal of the Trump administration Prosecution Last week, Chicago and Illinois immigration policies. City Hall sources recently told New York CBS News that they believe the city has survived due to the mayor's relationship with the White House.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Said recently Adams works with the Department of Homeland Security, immigration and customs enforcement or ice.
Adams stressed that the city’s Department of Homeland Security’s actions were targeted at violent criminals, and said in late January that he directed the New York Police Department (NYPD) to assist federal law enforcement in arresting suspected gang members in “targeted actions” .
He is statement January 28. “We are committed to protecting the law-abiding residents of the city, both citizens and immigrants, and are unwavering.”
But his willingness to work with federal authorities has raised alarm among some state legislators and advocacy groups criticize Adams, a memo released ahead of Mr. Trump’s inauguration, details how city officials should interact with federal immigration agents. The memorandum includes a statement: “If you are threatened or concerned about security, you should provide the officer with the information they requested, or let them access the website.”
New York is a “sanctuary city,” meaning local officials and resources cannot be used to help civil immigration enforcement, but for violent criminals. Adams critics say his memorandum opens the door to city officials who violate the laws of the shelter. A City Hall spokesman said the instructions were not blanket guidance for every city agency.
Adams is one of four former mayors Called as evidence Before Congress on March 5, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer was part of an investigation into sanctuary cities.
In his criminal case, Adams was accused of accepting illegal campaign donations, flight escalation and other travel benefits, officials and other foreign nationals who tried to influence his decisions. Several members of his administration have conducted investigations and allegations in the investigation. One of Adams' former town hall assistants Agree to plead guilty The allegations investigated last week.
In January, federal prosecutors hint This could file a lawsuit against the mayor, saying investigators “continue to identify others involved in Adams’s actions and reveal additional criminal acts of Adams.” Court Records show The grand jury in the case recently received new witness voices in December.
Adams claims he was prosecuted by the Justice Department under former President Joe Biden for criticizing Biden's immigration policy. Mr. Trump hinted that he would pardon Adams and said at a mid-December press conference that he did not "know" the facts of the Adams case, but thought that "he was treated unfairly."