Judge sets date for hearing Justice Department's effort to drop Eric Adams case

Feb. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. District Judge Dale Ho on Tuesday set a date for a hearing to determine if the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams should be dismissed.

Ho called for Adams to join his attorneys and U.S. Justice Department prosecutors for the hearing set for Wednesday at 2 p.m. EST.

Adams was scheduled to stand trial in April after pleading not guilty to federal charges of federal bribery, wire fraud and solicitation of illegal campaign contributions. But the Justice Department launched a bid for the charges against him to be dropped.

The decision prompted seven Justice Department prosecutors to resign last week in opposition to the call for the charges to be dismissed. Adams also said on Monday that four of his top deputies had also resigned.

Ho has strongly suggested that he may not go along with a dismissal unless there is a compelling reason to do so, stating that judges "should be satisfied that the reasons for the proposed dismissal are substantial."

"The parties shall be prepared to address [among other things], the reasons for the government's motion, the scope and effect of Mayor Adams's consent in writing," Ho said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams as mayor, said she will conduct a meeting Tuesday to discuss Adams's future.