On February 13, 2024, Danielle Sassoon, a senior Manhattan federal prosecutor, announced her resignation following a Justice Department directive to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
In a letter obtained by The New York Times, Sassoon, a career prosecutor and Republican, made it clear that she could not, in good conscience, comply with the order. “I cannot fulfill my obligations, effectively lead my office in carrying out the Department’s priorities, or credibly represent the Government before the courts, if I seek to dismiss the Adams case on this record,” she wrote to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
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Sassoon contended that Adams was guilty of multiple offenses, including bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal gifts. She revealed that prosecutors had been prepared to file additional charges against the mayor, including allegations that he “murdered and directed others to destroy evidence and give false information to the FBI.” She also accused Adams of participating in a “fraudulent straw donor scheme.”
Furthermore, Sassoon characterized the Justice Department’s directive as a political maneuver, suggesting it amounted to a “bargain” with the mayor. “Rather than be rewarded, Adams’s advocacy should be called out for what it is: an improper offer of immigration enforcement assistance in exchange for a dismissal of his case,” she stated.
Her resignation puts Adams’ legal fate in limbo. Since Sassoon had been serving as the interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York pending Senate approval of President Donald Trump’s nominee, Jay Clayton, her departure means that a final decision on Adams’ case will be left to her successor.
The Justice Department’s move to drop the charges has sparked widespread criticism and allegations of political interference. However, the DOJ emphasized that the decision did not constitute a full legal exoneration for the mayor. Instead, officials confirmed that Adams’ case would be reassessed by the next U.S. Attorney after the November election.
Following Sassoon’s resignation, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued an eight-page statement, not only accepting her departure but also announcing an internal review of the prosecutors who had worked on the Adams case. “At the conclusion of these investigations, the Attorney General will determine whether termination or some other action is appropriate,” Bove stated.
Mayor Adams, meanwhile, welcomed the Justice Department’s decision, calling it the end of a “months long saga.” “We can now move on from this terrible incident and concentrate solely on our city’s future,” he said.
When asked for comment, Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, did not immediately respond.
Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber, head of the city’s Department of Investigation, weighed in on the controversy, asserting her office’s political independence. She reaffirmed that her agency had cooperated with both the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and federal prosecutors in the corruption probe that led to the initial charges against Adams. “The Justice Department’s memorandum makes clear that its order to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to dismiss the criminal charges against Mayor Adams was unrelated to the strength of the evidence in the case,” Strauber stated.
Strauber also emphasized the integrity of her office’s work, adding, “In the investigation that led to these charges, DOI conducted its work apolitically, guided solely by the facts and the law.” She expressed gratitude to the FBI, federal prosecutors, and DOI inspectors for their efforts, praising their commitment to “providing independent oversight and protecting City government from fraud and abuse.”
With Sassoon’s resignation and the Justice Department’s intervention, the fate of Adams’ legal battles now rests with the incoming U.S. Attorney—leaving open questions about whether the case will be revived or ultimately dismissed.
