NEW YORK — In a surprising turn of events, three Manhattan federal prosecutors involved in the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams have resigned amidst allegations of Justice Department interference and ethical dilemmas. Celia Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach, and Derek Wikstrom took this drastic step after being placed on administrative leave following their resistance to dropping charges against the Democratic mayor.
The Resignation Letter
In a letter addressed to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the prosecutors expressed their dismay at being pressured to compromise their legal and ethical duties in favor of directives from Washington. They firmly stood by their decision to uphold the law and refused to admit to any wrongdoing where none existed.
Departmental Turmoil
This resignation comes on the heels of a series of protests within the Justice Department over the handling of the Adams case. Former acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon and several others resigned in solidarity, alleging that the case was being dropped in exchange for political favors.
The situation escalated when U.S. District Judge Dale Ho dismissed the charges and criticized the Justice Department for its actions. The department has since announced a review of the prosecutors’ conduct, prompting Cohen, Rohrbach, and Wikstrom to voice their concerns over being coerced into admitting to errors they did not commit.
Leadership Changes
Following these events, interim U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, a nominee of former President Donald Trump, assumed temporary leadership of the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office. Clayton’s appointment raised questions due to his lack of prosecutorial experience and his ties to Trump’s legal team.
Additionally, there are reports that Clayton is considering hiring Amanda Houle, a partner at a law firm representing Trump, as the office’s criminal chief. This move has sparked further controversy and speculation within legal circles.
Looking Ahead
The resignation of the prosecutors and the subsequent leadership changes have cast a shadow over the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office. As the situation unfolds, the legal community awaits further developments and insights into the implications of these events on the justice system.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
