Outside Source
The acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York reportedly resigned after the federal Justice Department directed her to halt a case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
News
Danielle Sassoon, who has been the acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) since the departure of the previous acting head, Edward Kim, has reportedly resigned from her position.
According to a Feb. 13 New York Times report, Sassoon resigned after a US Justice Department official appointed by President Donald Trump directed her not to proceed with a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Sassoon was one of the attorneys behind the prosecution of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and many cases involving individuals connected to the crypto industry.
The US Attorney’s office indicted Mayor Adams on corruption charges in September 2024 over allegations he accepted illegal donations from the Turkish government. Trump defended Adams shortly after the indictment dropped, claiming that the mayor was targeted due to his criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies. Adams also visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago compound before the US President’s Jan. 20 inauguration.
Emil Bove, the acting US deputy Attorney General and one of Trump’s criminal defense attorneys, issued the order directing Sassoon to pause Adams’ case until the Senate could confirm an SDNY attorney. Lawmakers are expected to address Trump’s pick for the next US Attorney for SDNY, Wall Street insider and former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Jay Clayton.
At the time of publication, it’s unclear who will replace Sassoon in an acting capacity.
Related: Indicted NYC mayor leaves questionable crypto legacy as controversy mounts
This article first appeared at Cointelegraph.com News
