Eric Adams’ Lawyers and Former Prosecutors File Dueling Letters Ahead of Courtroom Showdown
Mayor’s Defense Attorneys Fire Back at Accusations of Quid Pro Quo Deal
Mayor Eric Adams’ criminal defense attorneys have launched a strong defense against the former acting Manhattan U.S. attorney’s claim that they proposed a quid pro quo deal, offering the mayor’s help on immigration enforcement in exchange for dismissing the corruption case against him.
Lawyers’ Letters
In a letter to Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Ho, Mayor Adams’ lawyer Alex Spiro disputed the characterization of the meeting with acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, stating that "at no time prior to, during, or after the meeting did we, Mayor Adams, or anyone else acting on behalf of Mayor Adams offer anything to the Department or anyone else in exchange for dismissal of the case." He emphasized, "There was no quid pro quo. Period."
Former Prosecutors Weigh In
Former U.S. Attorneys John Martin, Robert Cleary, and Dierdre Daly have filed an amicus brief arguing that Judge Ho should conduct a factual inquiry to determine whether the government’s request for dismissal has been made in good faith and is consistent with the public interest. They also called into question the government’s motives, citing the mass resignation of seven prosecutors who refused to sign off on the dismissal motion.
Court Ruling
Judge Ho has ordered both sides to appear in court on Wednesday to explain the Department of Justice’s reasons for seeking the dismissal and to provide evidence that Adams has signed a written declaration accepting that the dismissal is "without prejudice," which means the Department of Justice could reopen the case after the November election.
Conclusion
The legal battle surrounding the corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams has turned into a high-stakes game of he-said, she-said, with both sides trading barbs and accusations. As the case approaches its next critical phase, it remains to be seen whether Judge Ho will ultimately decide to dismiss the case or allow it to proceed.
FAQs
- What is the current status of the corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams?
- The case is ongoing, with a court date scheduled for Wednesday.
- What are the accusations being made against Mayor Adams’ lawyers?
- They are accused of proposing a quid pro quo deal, offering assistance on immigration enforcement in exchange for dismissing the case.
- Who has filed amicus briefs in support of the case?
- Common Cause and a group of three former U.S. attorneys, John Martin, Robert Cleary, and Dierdre Daly.
