NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday thanked the Department of Justice after an official ordered prosecutors to drop his case, ending what Adams called a “cruel episode.”
On Monday, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed prosecutors to drop the case against Adams. No further “investigative steps” should be taken before the 2025 mayoral election, according to the memo.
On Tuesday, Adams addressed the memo, which he said puts an end to "the most difficult 15 months of [his] life."
“As you may have heard, the Department of Justice has directed that the case against me be dismissed, finally ending a months-long saga that put me, my family, this city through an unnecessary ordeal," Adams said. "I thank the Justice Department for its honesty. Now, we can put this cruel episode behind us."
Adams continued to maintain his innocence.
“I never broke the law and I never would,” Adams said. “I never asked anyone to break the law on my behalf.”
Adams was indicted on federal charges, including bribery, in September. Prosecutors alleged Adams solicited and accepted illegal donations to his 2021 mayoral campaign, and traded political favors for things like plane seats and opulent hotel stays.
In Monday's memo, Bove argued the case has “improperly interfered with Mayor Adams’ campaign” and restricted his ability to cooperate with federal deportation efforts.
President Donald Trump previously said he would consider pardoning Adams, insinuating the mayor may have been targeted for criticizing the Biden administration’s immigration policy.
Bove seemingly echoed these concerns, saying Adams' criticisms of the administration “cannot be ignored.”
Elected officials immediately criticized Adams' handling of the case.
"The Mayor of New York City sacrificed our city to save himself. Eric Adams’ leadership is fundamentally compromised," said City Council Member Shekar Krishnan. "It was compromised the day he was indicted on federal corruption charges. It was compromised months ago when he began chasing the attention of Donald Trump."
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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