Mayor Eric Adams' inner circle is becoming increasingly unsettled and irritated as Manhattan federal judge Dale Ho draws out a decision on whether to dismiss his corruption case.
It's been almost three weeks since Paul Clement, a great power lawyer, recommended that a judge cast the mayor's case forever, seeking advice on whether to dismiss the prosecution.
Ho hasn't peeped since. And sources nearby Adams complained that waiting time had stepped in to hit Hizzoner's campaign trail and compensate for the lost ground in the upcoming Democratic mayoral primary.
“It's pissing that judges still dragged it out for more than six weeks after the federal government moved to dismiss the case,” one source found.
“The mayor cannot actually move the campaign forward until it is resolved, and ironically, the judges are making sure the mayor doesn't run for election rather than in the actual case.”
Promising to take control “quickly” Ho remains silent about whether to follow Clement's advice.
A source close to Adams complained about their frustration that Ho has yet to dominate, saying they are “losing sleep” over the pending decision.
Another insider was worried that the prolonged silence could spell bad news for the mayor. This means that Hoe can break with Clement.
“I don't know what his judge is going to do,” the source said.
Former federal prosecutor Neema Ramani said it was “unusually long” to wait for Ho's expected decision.
“It's a politically sensitive case,” Ramani said. “He will probably publish some long and detailed opinions… but the outcome is inevitable.”
“He's not the most experienced judge. He's his second year on the bench. Some of the less experienced judges tend to be slower.
The wait may be due to the fact that every turn of Adams' case is historic and that very unusual dismissal could lay the basis for how future official corruption cases will be handled.
Another former federal prosecutor, Mark Vini, agreed that Ho would likely end up throwing the case forever.
“Judge Ho is likely to be spending his time, as it is a rare and unprecedented situation. Dismissal on prejudice removes the sword of Damocles' sword, suggesting it is hanging from Mayor Adams' head.
“So I think Judge Ho will not do it without being very careful with his reasoning and analysis.”
Ho's hot and anticipated decision follows a political fire lit by what is usually God's grace. President Trump's Justice Department instructs Manhattan prosecutors to abandon historic cases.
But the highly uncontested move of Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove was wrong as prosecutors in the Southern District of New York and the DOJ's Public Corruption Department in Washington, D.C., quit rather than filing a motion for rejection.
The federal government ultimately filed the complaint on February 14, claiming that prosecutors were politically motivated and hampered Adams' ability to help Trump crack down on illegal immigrants.
He sought fired “without prejudice” and left the door open to revive Adams' prosecution after the mayoral election in November.
Amid the rage at Quid Pro Quo that Bove and Adams allegedly denied, Ho appointed Clement, a former US lawyer under President George W. Bush, to advise him to give advice when he enters largely unknown legal waters.
Clement advised Ho that his options were limited, and argued that the judge had to change the type of fire “on prejudice,” kill the case forever, and lift political pressure from Adams.
Adams, whose approval rate was cratered to a low level as his lawyer told him to avoid sticky situations while making up his mind, is away from the trajectory of the campaign as his lawyer told him to avoid sticky situations, another source said.
That includes skipping events like the Miraire Forum, with rivals about to be hit by his still open corruption case.
“He won't be able to campaign until this is gone,” the source lamented.
Adams himself changed his songs this week after claiming he had previously hit the campaign trail. He told reporters that being mayor gave him a bully pulpit and a chance to connect with New Yorkers every day.
“Do you have a definition of Webster for what's on the campaign trail?” he asked ironically.
Adams faces five counts, including bribery and fraud, in historic federal accusations released in September. He pleaded not guilty to accusations that pocketed more than $100,000 in illegal campaign donations and travel perks from those seeking to buy influence from him, including Turkish officials.
