- The lead litigator in the case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams resigned after her office was ordered to pause the charges. The directive allows the case to be reopened after the mayoral election.
- Danielle Sassoon, the acting top prosecutor in Manhattan temporarily leading the office, announced her resignation.
- The Justice Department planned to hand the case to the Public Integrity Office in Washington.
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Just 72 hours after President Trump’s Justice Department ordered prosecutors to drop the case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, D, the lead litigator has stepped down. New York Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who temporarily led the Manhattan office until Trump’s pick is confirmed by the Senate, announced her resignation on Thursday, Feb. 13.
Resignation amid the Justice Department’s order
A spokesperson said she did not specify why she was leaving, but it comes amid the order for New York prosecutors to halt their case against Adams, who was indicted on five charges last September.
Adams was charged with wire fraud, conspiracy, bribery and allegedly accepting campaign funds from foreign nationals.
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The directive from the newly confirmed U.S. attorney general ordered the pending charges be dropped without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could reopen the case after Adams’ reelection bid this year. The memo on Monday, Feb. 10, also noted the trial, scheduled for April, conflicted with Adams’ ongoing work with the White House on immigration.
Sources said, ahead of Sassoon’s resignation, her office challenged the order by refusing to drop the charges. The New York office, known for handling cases independently from Washington, was dubbed “The Sovereign District” for its reputation.
Resignations follow refusal to drop charges
The DOJ planned to transfer the case to the Public Integrity Office in Washington, led by John Keller. Typically tasked with handling public corruption cases, Keller also reportedly refused to drop the case, as did his colleague in charge of the agency’s criminal division. The refusal led to a double resignation.
The Justice Department has yet to announce who will temporarily lead the New York office in the wake of these departures.
