A Manhattan federal judge has dismissed New York City Mayor Eric Adams‘s criminal corruption case with prejudice.
The “with prejudice” distinction means the case cannot be brought again, even if Adams’s relationship with President Donald Trump sours in the future. Adams had been accused of engaging in a quid pro quo with the Trump administration by complying with immigration priorities in exchange for having his case dropped.
“There may or may not be good reasons to drop this prosecution. But the reasons articulated by DOJ, if taken at face value, are inconsistent with a decision to leave the charges in the Indictment hanging like the proverbial Sword of Damocles over the Mayor,” Judge Dale Ho wrote in his decision.
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The Department of Justice had declined to pursue the prosecution but wished to dismiss the case without prejudice, which would allow it to be brought again later. However, an independent attorney appointed by Ho recommended it be dropped with prejudice instead last month.
The decision will prevent the federal government from enforcing consequences for Adams via his corruption case if the mayor does not comply with the Trump administration’s immigration priorities.
