Interim Manhattan US Attorney Danielle Sassoon made headlines this week after refusing an order to drop a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. In a letter penned on Wednesday, Sassoon raised concerns about a potential “quid pro quo” situation involving Adams’ defense lawyer during a meeting on Jan. 31. The phrase “quid pro quo,” which translates to “this for that,” refers to exchanges involving official acts that are illegal under federal anti-corruption laws.
Sassoon claimed that Adams’ defense lawyer implied that the mayor would only assist with the Department of Justice’s enforcement priorities if the indictment against him was dismissed. This revelation led to a flurry of resignations, with Sassoon stepping down from her position as Manhattan’s chief federal prosecutor the following day. Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating that they had not offered anything in exchange for the dismissal of the case.
The unfolding controversy surrounding the corruption case has sparked speculation about a potential judicial investigation into the Justice Department’s handling of the situation. Sassoon expressed her belief that US District Judge Dale Ho, who is overseeing Adams’ case, may demand a thorough inquiry and could reject any attempt to dismiss the charges as improper. The case took a political turn when Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove claimed that the criminal charges against Adams were politically motivated and impeding the mayor’s cooperation with immigration enforcement policies.
Bove further stated that he had not offered to drop the case in exchange for Adams’ assistance on immigration enforcement, despite Sassoon’s account of the Jan. 31 meeting. The back-and-forth between Sassoon and Bove culminated in Sassoon’s resignation and calls from New York Democrats for Adams to step down. US Representative Nydia Velazquez pointed to Sassoon’s letter as evidence of an “explicit quid pro quo” situation.
In a surprising turn of events, Adams announced on Thursday that he would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into New York’s Rikers Island correctional complex. The fallout from Sassoon’s resignation continues to reverberate through the political landscape, with ongoing scrutiny of the Justice Department’s actions in the case. While the saga of the DOJ-Adams controversy unfolds, the implications for both the mayor and the Department of Justice remain uncertain.
