(NewsNation) — A judge is set to hear arguments on whether corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams should remain following an order from the Department of Justice that they be dropped.
Adams pleaded not guilty in September to allegations that he accepted at least $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and travel perks from foreign nationals while he was campaigning for mayor.
Judge Dale Ho said in a two-page order that in order to dismiss these charges, he would need to be satisfied the reasons are “substantial” for doing so. Citing an appellate court opinion, Ho said the reason cannot be “clearly contrary to manifest public interest.”
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On Wednesday, Ho could sign off on dismissing the charges or decide the charges should stand — or he could say he wants an investigation into how the events unfolded.
Ho is considering a brief filed by former attorneys general for New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, who say they have concerns about a potential quid pro quo between the White House and the mayor’s office.
Critics say the Justice Department is interested in dropping the charges because Adams has agreed to comply with the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Hochul weighing removing Adams from position
Adams’ fate is not only in the hands of a judge but also those of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who said Monday she’s weighing removing the mayor from office.
Since the charges against Adams were announced, the mayor’s office has been under intense scrutiny. There have been protests in New York, and four of Adams’ top deputies have said they are resigning.
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Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, and five high-ranking Justice Department officials have also resigned. Sassoon refused the order to drop the corruption charges and said she was “confident” Adams committed the crimes spelled out in his indictment.
If Hochul does strip Adams of his mayoral position, it would be the first time a New York governor has done so in the state’s history, NewsNation local affiliate WPIX reports.
“The only reason that the governor has to decide to do something or not do something that has not been done in 235 years is because there was a double standard used in Eric Adams’ case,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
