“Efforts to Expedite Rescue Mission Stifled by SDNY in Corruption Investigation Involving Mayor Adams”
Key prosecutors working on the bribery case against Mayor Eric Adams found themselves in a challenging situation as they sought to distance themselves from their former boss, Damian Williams, whom they accused of pursuing his own political goals using the high-profile prosecution. Court documents recently obtained by The Post reveal that lead prosecutor Hagan Scotten and three colleagues were engaged in damage control following Williams’ op-ed in City & State, which was deemed a violation of courtroom ethics by Adams’ legal team.
Williams, who had resigned as the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York shortly before President Trump’s inauguration, penned a scathing piece in which he criticized the state of New York government and its ethical standards. This prompted Scotten and the other prosecutors, Andrew Rohrbach, Celia Cohen, and Derek Wikstrom, to strategize on how to address the fallout from Williams’ op-ed and the attempts to have the case dismissed.
The court exhibits reveal internal emails discussing the need to distance themselves from Williams’ actions while also ensuring that their integrity remained intact. The prosecutors were concerned about the implications of Williams’ political ambitions and his motivations behind the op-ed. Despite their efforts to manage the situation carefully, the emails were eventually made public following a challenge from media outlets.
The documents also shed light on the frustration felt by Danielle Sassoon, Williams’ interim successor, regarding his post-resignation conduct, including the creation of a self-promotional website. In a draft letter to US Attorney Pam Bondi, Sassoon expressed disappointment in her predecessor’s actions and highlighted the rushed decision-making process that led to the potential dismissal of Adams’ case.
Sassoon’s concerns about the hasty handling of the case by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, who allegedly gave her limited time to present her defense, underscored the tension within the Justice Department. Despite her efforts to advocate for the continuation of the case, Sassoon ultimately stepped down from her role after being directed to dismiss the charges against Adams by Bove.
The unfolding drama involving key figures in the corruption investigation has raised questions about the integrity and transparency of the legal process, as political considerations appear to have influenced decision-making at the highest levels of law enforcement.
Due to the strong evidence against him, the case against Adams is causing concern not only because it hinders his ability to assist with Trump’s immigration agenda. Judge Ho has not yet made a decision on the motion to dismiss. Recently disclosed documents reveal prosecutors discussing the wording of Adams’ indictment, which alleges that he accepted travel perks from Turks in exchange for political favors. In one text, Cohen mentioned the effort made to establish the influence charge, suggesting that portraying Adams as the one exploiting the corrupt relationship might be more effective. Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, argues that the language used in the indictment implies that Adams did not commit any crimes and that the case is politically motivated. The lead prosecutor, Scotten, resigned in February, while Rohrbach and Cohen, who have notable legal backgrounds, have been placed on leave pending an internal investigation. Williams, another prosecutor involved in the case, has not indicated any intention to run for office and has joined a law firm. The entire prosecution team is under investigation for their conduct, as confirmed in a letter from the DOJ. The SDNY spokesperson declined to comment on any specific allegations against the prosecutors.
