Two persons knowledgeable on the situation confirmed to NBC News that an attorney for New York City Mayor Eric Adams has reached out to Justice Department leadership with a request to drop the investigation against him.
Adams’ attorney’s outreach is typical for a well-known defendant like Adams who wants the Justice Department of a new administration to take a second look at the case. However, according to a person familiar with the situation, there is currently no sign that federal prosecutors in Manhattan in the Southern District of New York will abandon the case.
According to a Justice Department official who spoke to NBC News, the office of acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove is participating in the talks with the Southern District of New York and Adams team over the ongoing case against the mayor.
Discussions on the dismissal of the case against Adams were originally covered by the New York Times.
After being charged with federal corruption and bribery in September, Adams entered a not guilty plea.
A U.S. Attorney’s Office representative declined to comment.