A series of resignations have shaken the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Department of Justice following a disagreement over a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, The Associated Press reports.
Danielle Sassoon, the interim US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stepped down after refusing an order from the Justice Department to drop charges against Mayor Adams. Sassoon, a Republican, expressed concerns about political interference in the case.
According to sources, the Justice Department, under newly appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi, directed Sassoon to dismiss the charges against Mayor Adams. The acting deputy US attorney general, Emil Bove, stated that Sassoon was “incapable of fairly and impartially” reviewing the case. Bove also placed case prosecutors on administrative leave, triggering internal investigations.
In response, Sassoon resigned, along with several high-ranking officials within the Justice Department’s public integrity section, including the acting chief, three deputy chiefs, and a deputy assistant attorney general.
The case against Mayor Adams involves allegations that he accepted over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and other perks while serving as Brooklyn borough president. Adams has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
Sassoon, in a letter to the Attorney General, raised concerns about a potential “quid pro quo,” suggesting that the Justice Department’s decision was influenced by Mayor Adams’ willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration on immigration matters. Adams’ lawyer denied these claims.
Emil Bove’s directive to drop the case has raised eyebrows, particularly given his background as a former prosecutor in the Southern District and his previous representation of President Trump. The emphasis on political considerations in Bove’s memo has sparked concerns among some career prosecutors about a potential departure from established norms.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, known for its independence and track record in prosecuting high-profile cases, has appointed Matthew Podolsky as the new acting US Attorney.
