Judge Questions Request to Drop Charges Against NYC Mayor

 

A federal judge on Feb. 19 said he would rule at a later date on a government motion requesting that he dismiss charges against New York City’s mayor, after he asked questions about what he described as an unusual situation.

U.S. District Judge Dale Ho of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York said during a hearing in a federal courthouse in the New York City borough of Manhattan that he was aware that he had little discretion after the government asked to dismiss the charges against Mayor Eric Adams, including charges of accepting illegal campaign contributions. Ho noted that courts have found that prosecutors are the best judges of whether or not a case should continue. But he said judges do have a “limited role to play.”

“To properly discharge my duty, I want to proceed carefully,” Ho said, adding that he had questions about “how to handle what ... everyone would agree is a somewhat unusual situation.”

Adams was asked by the judge if he was OK with the possibility that the charges against him, if dismissed without prejudice as the government is requesting, could be refiled in the future.

“Yes, your honor,” the mayor said.

“I have not committed a crime.

“I’m not afraid of that.”

Prosecutors in 2024 charged Adams with accepting illegal campaign contributions and improper benefits, such as luxury travel, from foreigners. The Democrat pleaded not guilty.

After President Donald Trump took office, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove with the Department of Justice (DOJ) said he reviewed the case and became concerned that prosecutorial actions might taint the jury pool. He also said continuing the prosecution would interfere with the mayor’s ability to govern and cooperate with the federal government against illegal immigration.

Several federal prosecutors resigned rather than file a motion to dismiss the charges.
Bove and two other DOJ officials ended up signing the motion, which was lodged with the court on Feb. 14. It stated in part that dismissal is necessary “because of appearances of impropriety.” Officials said Adams consented to the motion.

Ho, rather than immediately agreeing to dismiss the charges, ordered the parties to appear at a hearing on Feb. 19 to delve into the matter.