Federal Judge Presses Trump Justice Official and Adams’ Defense Lawyer on Alleged Quid Pro Quo
The judge overseeing Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case on Wednesday scrutinized the controversial motion by the Trump Justice Department to toss the case, a request that many have described as a quid-pro-quo deal to secure Adams’ cooperation with Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts in New York City.
The Motion to Dismiss
Last week, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to dismiss the case, asserting that while he hadn’t assessed the actual merits of the case, he had decided the indictment and pending trial were harming the mayor’s ability to assist in Trump’s immigration initiative.
Quid Pro Quo Allegations
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sassoon noted that the "law does not support a dismissal," adding that she is "confident that Adams has committed the crimes with which he is charged." Sassoon also recounted that during a January 31 meeting, at which she was present, the mayor’s lawyers "repeatedly urged what amounted to a quid pro quo, indicating that Adams would be in a position to assist the Department’s enforcement priorities only if the indictment were dismissed."
The Judge’s Verdict
During an 80-minute hearing, Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Ho promised to rule swiftly on the motion. He has some limited discretion to reject it if he finds it was not made in good faith and is not in the public’s interest.
"It’s not in anyone’s interest for this to drag on," Ho said. "But to exercise my discretion properly, I’m not going to shoot from the hip here today," adding that he would make a decision in writing.
The Defense’s Response
Adams’ defense lawyer, Alex Spiro, denied Sassoon’s version of events and promised to swear under oath that the interaction did not happen as she described it. In court, Spiro offered to swear to it, saying, "My colleague and I who were at the meeting" would raise their right hand if the judge wanted.
The Case’s Future
Ho’s focus on the disputed narrative of the meeting with Bove could indicate he’s interested in requiring an evidentiary hearing on how the motion to dismiss came to be. A friend of the court brief filed by three ex-U.S. Attorneys on Monday evening requested that the judge hold such a hearing and seek sworn testimony from participants.
Conclusion
The case remains pending, with Judge Ho expected to rule on the motion to dismiss the charges against Mayor Eric Adams. The controversy surrounding the motion has sparked widespread criticism, with many viewing it as a quid pro quo deal to secure Adams’ cooperation with Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.
FAQs
- What is the motion to dismiss?
The motion to dismiss is a request by the Trump Justice Department to drop the charges against Mayor Eric Adams, which many have described as a quid pro quo deal to secure his cooperation with Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts in New York City. - What is a quid pro quo?
A quid pro quo is a Latin phrase meaning "this for that," referring to a reciprocal arrangement in which one party provides something of value in exchange for something else of value. - Who is involved in the case?
The case involves Mayor Eric Adams, who is facing corruption charges, as well as Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, and Adams’ defense lawyer, Alex Spiro.
