Lead Prosecutor Resigns Amid Dismissal of Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams

2025-03-02

Hagan Scotten, the lead prosecutor in the federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resigned on February 14, 2025, after the Justice Department ordered the dismissal of charges against the mayor. In a scathing resignation letter addressed to Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, Scotten condemned the directive as a politically motivated move, stating that no federal prosecutor should use their power to influence elected officials. He declared that only a “fool” or a “coward” would comply with such an order, emphasizing, “It was never going to be me.”

The Justice Department’s decision to drop the charges, which included bribery and fraud, was reportedly tied to Adams’ cooperation with President Trump’s immigration policies. This move sparked a wave of resignations within the department, including acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon and several members of the Public Integrity Section. Scotten, an Army veteran and former clerk for Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh, criticized the administration for attempting to leverage the dismissal of charges to secure political support.

The case against Adams stemmed from allegations that he accepted lavish gifts and campaign donations from Turkish businessmen in exchange for favorable treatment during his tenure as Brooklyn borough president and mayor. Adams has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the charges were politically motivated. The dismissal, which is without prejudice, leaves open the possibility of future prosecution. The controversy has raised concerns about the integrity of the justice system and the politicization of federal prosecutions.

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