Judge Dismisses Case Against Eric Adams With Prejudice

Federal District Court Judge Dale E. Ho agreed with prosecutors that dismissing the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams was the only practical course available, but he did so with prejudice so the case cannot be revived.

Prosecutors requested dismissal without prejudice so the case could be brought again. Ho said, “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.”

Several federal prosecutors resigned rather than sign the Department of Justice filing to request dismissal of the case. Those who remained were put in a room and told that if none of them would sign, all would be fired.

Ho said his decision was not about the merits of the case. He said “there are many reasons to be troubled” by prosecutors’ reasoning in asking for dismissal, but courts cannot force prosecutors to continue.

Click here for more details.