Hagan Scotten, a seasoned prosecutor involved in the corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams, tendered his resignation in a letter addressed to acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. In the letter, Scotten accused high-ranking officials at the Justice Department of seeking a “fool” to drop the criminal charges against Adams, arguing that the effort represented a misuse of prosecutorial authority.
Scotten, who has an impressive background including a Harvard law degree and commendations from his military service, had been a key member of the legal team. Previously involved in several corruption cases in New York, including investigations related to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and other notable figures, he now finds himself at odds with leadership that he alleges is trying to manipulate the legal process for political gain.
In his communication, Scotten condemned the department’s rationale for dismissing the case—a reasoning that linked the decision to allowing Adams to focus on issues like illegal immigration and his 2025 reelection campaign. He argued that using the promise of dropping charges, or the threat of renewed prosecution, to influence an elected official undermines the very principles of law and governance.
The case, which sees Adams pleading not guilty to five federal charges, has sparked significant internal dissent within the Justice Department, with Scotten being the latest in a series of resignations over the handling of the matter. The situation continues to evolve as the Justice Department has yet to file its motion to dismiss the case.