Keker, Van Nest & Peters filed a proposed amicus brief on behalf of a group of distinguished former federal judges, urging U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho to consider whether an improper quid pro quo arrangement exists before dismissing the indictment against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The filing was covered in the New York Law Journal and Law360.
“The circumstances of the dismissal appear to indicate that it is a quid pro quo in exchange for Mayor Adams’ promise to comply with the administration’s immigration objectives,” the filing asserts. “Worse, the Justice Department appears to seek to hold the threat of future prosecution over Mayor Adams’s head to maintain the pressure on him.”
The amici are federal jurists from across the nation, appointed by administrations of both parties. Their interest in the matter is the integrity and independence of the courts. The amici suggest the court can conduct further factual inquiry to advance the interests of justice if the Justice Department refuses to do so.
The retired judges are represented by Robert A. Van Nest, Dan E. Jackson, Kelly S. Kaufman and Elizabeth A. Heckmann of Keker, Van Nest & Peters.