Danielle Sassoon, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, resigned following an alleged Justice Department order to halt a corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
Sassoon's Resignation
Sassoon played a key role in prosecuting former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and other crypto-related cases. She reportedly stepped down after a Trump-appointed official directed her not to proceed with Adams’ case. Additionally, she was involved in the investigation against Ryan Salame, another former FTX co-CEO.
Charges Against Mayor Adams
Mayor Adams was indicted in September 2024 over allegations he accepted illegal donations from the Turkish government in exchange for political favors. Trump defended Adams, claiming the mayor was being targeted for his criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
Mayor Adams' Crypto Ties
Eric Adams, who took office in 2022, is known for his pro-crypto initiatives. He famously pledged to accept his first three paychecks in Bitcoin and aimed to make New York a Bitcoin center. Despite his stance, in 2022, he supported a temporary ban on proof-of-work crypto mining unless it is powered by renewable energy.
Danielle Sassoon’s resignation adds a new twist to the case against Mayor Eric Adams, drawing attention to his crypto industry ties and alleged corruption schemes.
