New York Mayor Eric Adams insisted on Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to drop corruption charges against him proves his innocence, even as the DOJ left the door open for future prosecution and linked the decision to his support for Trump’s mass deportation initiative.
Adams was charged with bribery, campaign finance violations, and conspiracy. In a livestreamed statement on Tuesday, he maintained that he “never broke the law” and called the charges against him an “unnecessary ordeal.” The DOJ decision still awaits review and approval by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
A five-count indictment issued in September alleges Adams accepted illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel from foreign nationals, including a Turkish official in exchange for political favors.
Prosecutors believe that Mayor Adams pressured the New York City Fire Department to facilitate the opening of a 36-story Turkish Consular building without a fire inspection. In exchange, Adams had received straw donations to his campaigns, along with free or discounted travel with “Turkish Airlines,” the claim.
Adams and his companions allegedly flew to France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, and Turkey itself.
The United States Department of Justice directed New York prosecutors this Monday to dismiss charges against Adams, citing concerns over political influence and his role in immigration enforcement.Â
The “pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams' ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime that escalated under the policies of the prior Administration,” the DOJ directive said.
The case was dropped without prejudice, allowing for the charges to be refiled after the November 2025 Mayoral elections.
