Watchdog Files Emil Bove Bar Complaint Over Apparent Eric Adams Quid Pro Quo Scheme
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2025
Contact: Michael Clauw, mclauw@campaignforaccountability.org, 202.780.5750
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Campaign for Accountability (CfA), a non-profit watchdog group, asked the Attorney Grievance Committee in New York to investigate whether Acting Deputy US Attorney General Emil Bove violated myriad New York Rules of Professional Conduct through his recent actions surrounding his efforts to dismiss the federal indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams as part of an apparent quid pro quo scheme to advance Donald Trump’s policy agenda. CfA’s complaint comes the same day as Judge Dale Ho deferred ruling on DOJ’s motion to dismiss, appointing an outside lawyer to address outstanding questions regarding the breadth of the court’s authority, including whether the court may dismiss the case with prejudice
CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith said, “Mr. Bove’s actions with respect to the dismissal of the Adams’ indictment represents a serious breach of his ethical obligations and a disservice to the principles of justice. His conduct undermines the integrity of the DOJ, and, if left unchecked, will undoubtedly erode public trust in the legal system.”
By moving to dismiss the indictment against Adams without prejudice—allowing DOJ to refile the charges at a later date, effectively holding a sword over Adams’ head if he doesn’t follow through on his promise to further the Trump administration’s immigration policies—Mr. Bove may have violated, among others, Rules 8.4(c) (prohibiting “conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation”); 8.4 (d) (prohibiting conduct “prejudicial to the administration of justice”), 8.4(h) (prohibiting conduct “that adversely reflects on the lawyer’s fitness as a lawyer”), and 3.4(e) (prohibiting threats of criminal prosecution to gain advantage in a civil matter). Mr. Bove’s actions also may have violated Rules 8.4(a) (prohibiting inducing other lawyers to violate the Rules) and/or 5.1(d)(1) (directing others to violate the Rules) by causing others to violate Rules 1.7(a)(2) (prohibiting personal conflicts of interest), and 3.3(a)(1) (requiring candor to the Court)).
In addition to violating his obligations under the rules, Mr. Bove appears to have violated the oath he took when sworn into the New York Bar: to “support the Constitution of the United States” and to “faithfully discharge the duties of the office of attorney and counselor at law.” More generally, Mr. Bove’s actions appear to constitute an abuse of power and serve to undermine the integrity of the Department of Justice and erode public confidence in the legal profession and the fair administration of justice.
Ms. Kuppersmith continued, “We respectfully request that the Committees conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and impose appropriate disciplinary measures. Enforcement of the Rules is crucial not just to prevent Mr. Bove from abusing his New York Bar license in the future, but to prevent others from feeling empowered to follow Bove’s lead.”
Campaign for Accountability is a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog organization that uses research, litigation, and aggressive communications to expose misconduct and malfeasance in public life and hold those who act at the expense of the public good accountable for their actions.