The U.S. Justice Department placed three federal prosecutors in Manhattan on leave Friday, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. The decision comes in the wake of the high-profile corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, which the Justice Department recently moved to dismiss.
Prosecutors Taken Off the Case
Two of the prosecutors put on leave—Andrew Rohrbach and Celia Cohen—were directly involved in the prosecution of Adams. Rohrbach is known for his role in several high-profile cases, including the successful prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, former crypto executive Sam Bankman-Fried, and lawyer Michael Avenatti.
Cohen, on the other hand, has built a reputation handling cases against organized crime syndicates and violent street gangs. Both prosecutors played a key role in the investigation into Adams before the Justice Department unexpectedly intervened to dismiss the charges.
The third individual placed on leave is a member of the office’s civil division. According to sources, this person had posted about tech billionaire Elon Musk and Ed Martin, a leader of the Stop the Steal movement, as well as President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. While the connection between these posts and the leave decision remains unclear, the move has raised further questions about the DOJ’s handling of the Adams case.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on the matter, adding to the mystery surrounding the abrupt personnel changes.
Justice Department Moves to Dismiss Corruption Charges Against Adams
The decision to place these prosecutors on leave follows the Justice Department’s controversial move to dismiss corruption charges against Eric Adams. The case initially alleged that Adams had engaged in unethical financial dealings and campaign finance violations. However, in a sudden reversal, the DOJ chose to drop the case, citing “insufficient evidence.”
The move has not been without consequences. The abrupt dismissal prompted the resignations of several prosecutors in both New York and Washington, D.C. Among them was Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan. Sassoon publicly accused Adams and the Justice Department of engaging in a “quid pro quo” arrangement, fueling speculation that political pressure played a role in the case’s dismissal.
“It is highly unusual for the DOJ to step in and dismiss charges of this magnitude after years of investigation,” a former federal prosecutor told reporters. “The resignations we are seeing suggest deep internal disagreements about the decision.”
Political Fallout and Allegations of Interference
The developments surrounding the Adams case have sparked controversy in legal and political circles. Some critics argue that the DOJ’s actions represent political interference in the judicial process. The sudden dismissal of charges, followed by the removal of key prosecutors, has led to concerns about whether the case was handled impartially.
Mayor Adams, who has denied any wrongdoing throughout the investigation, responded to the DOJ’s decision with relief.
“This was a politically motivated attack against me, and justice has prevailed,” Adams stated in a press conference. “I have always maintained my innocence, and I am grateful that the truth has come to light.”
However, some legal experts remain skeptical. Former prosecutors have pointed out that corruption cases involving high-ranking officials often take years to build and that dismissing them so suddenly is highly unusual.
Additionally, some lawmakers are now calling for further investigation into the DOJ’s handling of the case.
“We need full transparency regarding why this case was dismissed and why multiple prosecutors were placed on leave,” said Senator Tom Cotton. “The American people deserve to know if there was political interference in a major corruption investigation.”
DOJ’s Ongoing Turmoil and Trust Issues
The Justice Department has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years over its handling of politically sensitive cases. The Adams case now adds to a growing list of controversies that have raised concerns about the DOJ’s impartiality.
The resignations of high-ranking prosecutors, coupled with allegations of a quid pro quo, suggest significant internal division within the department. Some insiders claim that political considerations may have influenced the decision to drop the charges against Adams, further eroding public trust in the justice system.
The timing of these events has also raised eyebrows. With the 2024 presidential election approaching, political analysts suggest that cases involving prominent figures like Adams could have broader implications.
“Whether or not there was wrongdoing in the Adams case, the way the DOJ has handled it raises serious credibility issues,” said former Justice Department official John Malcolm. “This is yet another example of how politically charged legal cases are becoming in today’s climate.”
What Comes Next?
With the DOJ refusing to comment on the matter, many questions remain unanswered. Will there be further fallout from the prosecutor shake-up? Will congressional lawmakers push for an independent review of the Adams case?
For now, the Justice Department’s credibility is once again under the spotlight, with critics and supporters debating whether its latest actions were justified or politically motivated.
As the story develops, the public and legal community will be watching closely to see whether more details emerge about what led to the sudden dismissals and personnel changes.
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