DOJ officials are digging deeper into the Eric Adams corruption case as two more prosecutors face suspension without explanation. The move raises significant questions about political influence in what some say could be a sign of how democrats operate behind the scenes when one of their own faces accountability.
At a glance:
• Two additional DOJ prosecutors, Andrew Rohrbach and Celia Cohen, have been placed on leave in the Mayor Eric Adams corruption case
• This follows earlier suspensions of prosecutors Hagan Scotten and Derek Wikstrom
• Former prosecutor Scotten resigned and criticized the decision to dismiss charges against Adams as a “serious mistake”
• DOJ officials Todd Blanche and Emil Bove argue the case was politically motivated in court filings
• Critics suggest the DOJ’s actions reveal a pattern of protecting politically-connected Democrats while aggressively pursuing Republicans
Mounting Suspensions Raise Serious Questions
The Department of Justice has placed two more prosecutors on leave in the ongoing corruption investigation involving Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Andrew Rohrbach and Celia Cohen join Hagan Scotten and Derek Wikstrom in being sidelined from the high-profile case, though officials have remained tight-lipped about specific reasons for the suspensions.
Rohrbach previously gained prominence for his work convicting Ghislaine Maxwell, while Cohen established her career prosecuting mob cases. The sudden removal of these experienced prosecutors has fueled speculation about potential political interference in what was considered a straightforward corruption investigation.
Former prosecutor Hagan Scotten didn’t remain silent about his departure, publicly condemning the decision to dismiss charges against Adams. In his resignation, Scotten characterized the move as a “serious mistake” that ultimately benefits President Trump’s administration by creating a double standard in the justice system.
— 4th Estate News (@IVthestate) February 11, 2025
Political Motivations Under Scrutiny
Court filings by DOJ officials Todd Blanche and Emil Bove III have added another layer to the controversy. Using internal messages from the case’s lead prosecutor and colleagues, Blanche and Bove argue that the original case against Adams was politically motivated rather than based on legitimate legal grounds.
Former U.S. attorney Damian Williams, who resigned in December, has become a central target of accusations. Bove claimed Williams’s actions “threatened the integrity of the proceedings” through various public statements and actions suggesting potential political ambitions.
Williams had previously published an opinion article criticizing New York City leadership and created a website highlighting his achievements. These actions raised questions about whether personal political aspirations influenced his handling of the Adams case.
Concerns Over Justice System Integrity
Scotten’s resignation letter contained a stark warning about the dangerous precedent being set by the DOJ’s handling of the Adams case. “Any assistant US attorney would know that our laws and traditions do not allow using the prosecutorial power to influence other citizens, much less elected officials, in this way,” wrote Scotten in his public rebuke of the department’s decision.
Some legal observers characterize the DOJ’s strategy as a “dismissal-with-leverage” tactic that keeps the threat of re-indictment hanging over Adams. This approach gives the appearance of dismissing charges while maintaining the ability to resurrect the case later, potentially keeping political pressure on the mayor.
The DOJ has remained silent regarding the specific reasons for placing Rohrbach and Cohen on leave.
