NEW YORK, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Federal prosecutors Friday filed a motion with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to drop bribery and corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The Department of Justice has sought dismissal without prejudice of the charges in the controversial case -- meaning the case could still be prosecuted in the future.
Emil Bove, the acting U.S. deputy attorney general, issued a memo Monday ordering federal prosecutors in New York to drop the case against Adams, arguing, in part, that it hampered Adam's ability to tackle "illegal immigration and violent crime."
The order led to the resignation of then acting U.S. attorney in New York, Danielle Sassoon, and at least six other federal prosecutors, who refused to follow the order.
A judge from the district court is expected to make a rule on the request for dismissal.
It's still possible for federal prosecutors to charge Adams in the future and the matter would be reviewed by U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York following New York mayoral election in November 2025.
In September 2024, Adams was charged with five counts of bribery, wire fraud and solicitation, primarily related to his mayoral campaign in 2021. ■