CBS News confirmed that Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor has resigned, after her attorneys were told to drop the criminal case they had brought against New York City mayor Eric Adams. Three sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed this.
Danielle Sassoon, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, resigned from her position on Thursday. Days earlier, a senior Justice Department official had ordered that her office dismiss corruption charges brought against the mayor.
On Monday, the Acting Deputy Attorney-General Emil Bove sent out a memo to Manhattan prosecutors instructing them to drop the five-count charge that was filed back in September.
Bove wrote that, “as authorized by the Attorney-General, you are directed to dismiss the charges pending,” adding that, “the department reached this conclusion without assessing either the strength of evidence or legal theories upon which the case was based,” but “in no manner calls into question” the integrity and effort of the prosecutors in the case.
The Justice Department has not responded to a comment request.
Bove also noted Adams’ “restricted ability” to assist the Trump administration in enforcing its immigration policies. The case would be dropped without prejudice pending the mayoral elections later this year. It’s possible that the charges will be brought up again at a future date.
Adams was scheduled to stand trial in April on charges that included bribery, campaign finance violations and a violation of the law. He denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not-guilty.
Federal prosecutors from Sassoon’s office did not comply with the order on Thursday despite the Justice Department’s directive. This could be a sign of a conflict between the office which filed charges against Adams and Trump’s new leadership.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that she did not know that the Southern District of New York prosecutors had yet to comply with Bove’s orders during a Wednesday press conference.
Sassoon has been appointed interim director of the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office while President Trump’s nominee, Jay Clayton, is undergoing the Senate confirmation process.
CBS News confirmed that Sassons left after several U.S. Attorneys appointed by Biden across the nation were dismissed this week. It is not unusual for federal prosecutor positions to change around presidential transitions.
Sources say that the U.S. attorneys were informed of their termination via email, a change from previous practice where they had to submit resigning letters.
Unknown is the exact number of offices affected.
