Mayor Eric Adams’ legal team demands corruption case dismissal as unprecedented DOJ leaks reveal potential misconduct at the highest levels of the justice system.
Key Takeaways
- Mayor Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro filed a motion for complete dismissal with prejudice, citing “extraordinary” prosecutorial misconduct through government leaks.
- A leaked letter suggested the DOJ offered to dismiss charges in exchange for Adams’ cooperation with Trump’s immigration policies—a claim Adams’ team vehemently denies.
- Multiple prosecutors, including former acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, resigned rather than follow DOJ orders to dismiss the case without prejudice.
- Judge Dale Ho appointed outside counsel Paul Clement to research proper dismissal standards but has not yet ruled on the request.
- Adams’ lawyers argue the leaks violated his constitutional rights and permanently damaged his ability to receive a fair trial.
Unprecedented Government Leaks at Center of Dismissal Request
New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ legal team has escalated their defense strategy, filing a motion demanding complete dismissal of corruption charges due to what they describe as flagrant prosecutorial misconduct. Attorney Alex Spiro identified what he called “an extraordinary flurry” of government leaks that violated Department of Justice policies and potentially Adams’ constitutional rights. The motion centers on leaked internal documents that appeared designed to undermine Adams’ presumption of innocence and taint public perception of the case.
The most damaging leak involved a letter from then-acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon suggesting the Justice Department agreed to dismiss charges against Adams in exchange for his assistance with President Trump’s immigration policies. Adams’ legal team categorically denies any such quid pro quo arrangement existed. Additional leaked materials included internal Justice Department communications and a resignation letter from former prosecutor Hagan Scotten, further damaging Adams’ reputation.
Prosecutor Resignations Heighten Case Drama
The controversy deepened when multiple prosecutors, including Sassoon, resigned rather than comply with a DOJ directive to dismiss the case without prejudice. This unusual move created a spectacle that Adams’ attorneys argue further prejudiced their client in the public eye. The Justice Department’s dismissal without prejudice would allow prosecutors to potentially refile charges at a later date—a position Adams’ team strongly opposes.
“To be sure, the February 12 letter, and the decision to leak it, were last acts of desperation in defense of a meritless case that never should have been pursued in the first place,” wrote Adams’ lawyers Alex Spiro and William Burck.
The leaked Sassoon letter revealed a “self-proclaimed confidence in Mayor Adams’s guilt” and suggestions of “planning to re-indict Mayor Adams, including on a new and equally baseless obstruction charge.” These statements, made public through unauthorized channels, form the foundation of Adams’ argument that prosecutorial misconduct has irreparably damaged his right to a fair process.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams asked a federal judge to toss out the corruption case against him Wednesday, alleging prosecutorial misconduct, even as the Justice Department seeks dismissal of the charges on the Democrat’s behalf. https://t.co/UO31IQvvcN
— PBS News (@NewsHour) February 26, 2025
Judge Appoints Special Counsel as Decision Looms
Judge Dale Ho has not yet ruled on the dismissal request but has taken the unusual step of appointing outside lawyer Paul Clement to research proper dismissal standards. This appointment indicates the serious and complex nature of the situation facing the court. Adams’ legal team is pushing for dismissal “with prejudice,” which would prevent prosecutors from bringing the same charges again—a much stronger outcome than the “without prejudice” dismissal requested by the Justice Department.
“Someone within the government” leaked these documents according to Spiro, creating a situation where Adams faces trial by media rather than through proper judicial channels.
The case represents a significant test of judicial oversight of prosecutorial conduct, particularly in high-profile political cases. Conservative legal experts have noted this case may establish important precedent regarding the limits of prosecutorial power and the remedies available when those limits are exceeded. As of publication, the Department of Justice has not responded to requests for comment on the new filing or the allegations of misconduct.
Sources:
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams asks court to toss case against him due to prosecutorial misconduct – ABC News
- Eric Adams seeks total dismissal of criminal case for ‘prosecutorial misconduct’
- Mayor Adams Seeks Dismissal with Prejudice, Alleging Prosecutorial Misconduct | National Review
