New York Mayor Adams expressed his gratitude on Tuesday (February 11) to the Department of Justice for dismissing the corruption charges against him, stating that this decision marks the end of the “most difficult 15 months” of his life. Mayor Adams referred to the ordeal as a “cruel event” that he has finally moved past. At the same time, he reiterated that he had “never broken the law” and expressed his desire to “regain” the trust of New Yorkers, saying it is time to move forward.
On Monday, Acting Deputy Attorney General Bove instructed prosecutors to drop the lawsuit against Mayor Adams. The memo stated that no further “investigative measures” should be taken before the 2025 mayoral election.
On Tuesday, Mayor Adams addressed the public in a televised speech, formally thanking the Department of Justice for their “honesty.”
“You may have heard that the Department of Justice has instructed the dismissal of the charges against me, finally bringing an end to this months-long drama which caused unnecessary distress to me, my family, and this city,” Mayor Adams said. “I am grateful for the honesty of the Department of Justice. Now, we can put this cruel affair behind us.”
Mayor Adams continued to assert his innocence, stating, “I have never broken the law and I will not. I have never asked anyone to break the law for me.”
Last September, Mayor Adams was accused of bribery and other federal charges. Prosecutors alleged that Mayor Adams solicited and accepted illegal donations for his 2021 mayoral campaign and exchanged them for political favors such as airplane seats and luxury hotel accommodations.
In the memo from the Department of Justice on Monday, Bove stated that the case had “unduly interfered with Mayor Adams’ mayoral campaign” and restricted his ability to cooperate with federal actions against illegal immigration.
Some Democratic officials in New York City, including candidates for the next mayoral race, criticized the dismissal of the case.
Comptroller Lander stated to the media on the 10th, “Mayor Adams instructed his senior officials not to criticize Trump, and now we know why.”
State Senator Myrie criticized Mayor Adams for allowing ICE to enter sensitive areas like schools or churches for arrests, stating it was “for his own benefit.”
During his public address, Mayor Adams stated, “I will never put personal interests above the solemn responsibility of being a mayor.”
He cited recent achievements of the city government in areas such as public safety and employment to demonstrate his contributions to New York City.
“I will continue to increase these figures month by month, and I am committed to the values and struggles that New Yorkers believe in. I want to regain the trust of those who have lost confidence in me,” Mayor Adams said. “This is also how I repay those who believed in me four years ago – by providing hope to all New Yorkers who want to see their city prosper.”