By Corruption by Cops
NEW YORK, NY – Despite his lawyer’s confidence that the case is “over,” Mayor Eric Adams could still face prosecution for alleged corruption, as President Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has not ruled out refiling charges after the election.
On Wednesday, Alex Spiro, Adams’ attorney, assured reporters that the criminal case against the mayor—originally involving bribery, fraud, and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish operatives—was officially dead.
“This case was never real in the first place,” Spiro stated.
However, the situation is more complicated than Spiro suggests.
Trump’s DOJ Dismisses the Case… With a Catch
Earlier this week, Emil Bove, a former Trump defense attorney now serving as Deputy Attorney General, directed the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office to drop the charges against Adams. The order stated that prosecuting Adams had “unduly restricted” his ability to assist Trump’s administration on immigration crackdowns.
However, Bove’s memo left the door open for the case to be reopened after the election, raising serious concerns about potential political coercion.
Bove explicitly instructed that the next Senate-confirmed Manhattan U.S. Attorney, likely a Trump appointee, should review the case again after November.
Is Trump Using the Case as Leverage?
Legal experts and political analysts are questioning whether Trump is using the threat of future prosecution to pressure Adams into cooperating with his immigration policies.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, a longtime Adams ally, went as far as to say Trump is holding the mayor “hostage” with the possibility of renewed charges.
In a press conference, Spiro admitted he had private discussions with DOJ officials about dropping the case, including talks about Adams’ “ability” to enforce immigration policies.
However, Spiro denied making any commitments on Adams’ behalf.
“This isn’t hanging over anybody’s head,” Spiro insisted. “This case is over.”
Mayor Adams Defends Himself
Speaking at a town hall in Queens, Adams dismissed concerns that he was beholden to Trump.
“Look at my record,” he told reporters. “I’ve been fighting for this city. That’s not going to change.”
Adams, who has maintained his innocence since his indictment in September 2024, pointed to crime reduction statistics as evidence that the case had not impacted his ability to govern.
However, his attorney contradicted that claim, admitting the indictment had “obviously” affected Adams’ ability to function as mayor.
Could Adams Still Face Charges?
For now, the case against Adams is dismissed. But with Trump’s DOJ explicitly leaving the option open to revisit the charges after the election, the legal uncertainty is far from over.
