The acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoon, has resigned after the Justice Department (DOJ) ordered her office to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, sources confirmed to CBS News.
Why Did Sassoon Resign?
Sassoon’s resignation came days after Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered federal prosecutors in Manhattan to dismiss the case against Adams.
In her resignation letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sassoon expressed serious concerns, stating:
“The request to drop Adams’ case raises serious concerns that render the contemplated dismissal inconsistent with my ability and duty to prosecute federal crimes without fear or favor.”
DOJ’s Directive to Drop Adams’ Corruption Case
On Monday, Bove sent a memo instructing prosecutors to dismiss Adams’ five-count indictment, which was filed in September.
Bove’s memo stated:
- The Justice Department made the decision without assessing the strength of the evidence.
- The decision did not call into question the integrity of the prosecutors involved in the case.
- Adams’ “restricted” ability to assist with the Trump administration’s immigration policies was a factor in the dismissal.
- The case was dismissed “without prejudice”, meaning charges could potentially be reinstated later.
Sassoon’s Allegations Against Adams
- She accused Adams’ legal team of offering a “quid pro quo”, implying that the mayor offered to help enforce Trump’s immigration policies in exchange for having the charges dropped.
- She also stated that federal prosecutors were preparing additional charges against Adams, including obstruction of justice for allegedly destroying evidence and lying to the FBI.
- The additional charges were never filed before the DOJ ordered the case to be dropped.
Bove’s Response to Sassoon
- He denied her claims and accepted her resignation.
- He accused her of insubordination and misconduct, stating that her office was “incapable of fairly and impartially reviewing the case.”
- He emphasized that Adams’ ability to manage NYC and work with federal agencies was a higher priority than continuing the case.
More DOJ Resignations Following the Controversy
Sassoon’s resignation comes amid a wave of DOJ departures:
- Kevin Driscoll, head of the DOJ’s criminal division, and his deputy, John Keller, also resigned.
- Several Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys were fired earlier this week.
What Happens Next?
- Adams was scheduled to go to trial in April for charges including bribery and campaign finance violations.
- The case is now dismissed, but could be reinstated after the NYC mayoral election.
The sudden dismissal of the Eric Adams corruption case and the resignation of top DOJ officials highlight deep tensions within the Justice Department. The controversy raises questions about political influence in federal prosecutions and could impact future investigations into public officials.
