NYC Mayor Adams' Corruption Case Prosecutor Resigns Amid Controversy

Hagan Scotten, an assistant U.S. attorney, resigned from the Southern District of New York in protest of the Department of Justice's directive to dismiss the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Scotten's resignation, which follows that of interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon and several other DOJ officials, highlights a growing conflict within the department over the handling of the case. In a scathing letter, Scotten criticized Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove's reasoning for the dismissal, suggesting it aimed to leverage the case for political ends related to immigration policies. He argued that such actions compromise the integrity of the legal process, stating he would not be the “fool” to file a motion based on these grounds. The controversy underscores tensions between DOJ leadership and the independence of its New York office, with allegations of political influence affecting legal proceedings. The case against Adams remains unresolved as the DOJ continues to navigate this internal strife.