In a decisive ruling on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho dismissed the U.S. Department of Justice’s corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be refiled.

This decision aligns with the recommendation of a lawyer appointed by the judge to offer independent counsel, but contrasts with the Justice Department’s request for a dismissal without prejudice.

“Dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor’s freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents,” Judge Ho wrote in his decision.

The case had become a significant point of contention during the lead-up to New York City’s mayoral election in November, where Adams, facing low approval ratings, is struggling to secure a second term.

The charges against the 64-year-old mayor, who pleaded not guilty, allege he accepted bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish officials in exchange for favors, such as pressuring fire officials to allow Turkey to open a new consulate in Manhattan despite safety concerns.

Adams has long contended that the case is politically motivated, stemming from his vocal criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of immigration issues. The Trump administration, which shares Adams’ concerns on immigration, supported the dismissal of the case, with former acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove stating that it was interfering with Adams’ re-election campaign.

Bove’s directive to drop the case led to significant resignations within the Justice Department, with several senior prosecutors refusing to follow his order. One such prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, criticized what she saw as a quid pro quo arrangement between Adams and the Justice Department.

In light of the complexities surrounding the case, Judge Ho sought an independent perspective from Paul Clement, former solicitor general under President George W. Bush. Clement argued that the possibility of the case being refiled could “hang like the proverbial Sword of Damocles” over Adams, implying that the mere threat of reindictment could undermine the mayor’s ability to govern without undue federal influence.

Adams’ legal team initially agreed to a dismissal without prejudice, but later pushed for a permanent dismissal, citing the publication of internal correspondence related to the case, which they argued could prevent the mayor from receiving a fair trial.

This ruling, while a significant legal victory for Adams, is unlikely to put the matter to rest, as the mayor’s re-election campaign continues to be impacted by the controversy surrounding the case.