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Justice Department prosecutor tied to dismissed Adani case is fired

The Trump administration dismissed a federal fraud prosecutor previously assigned to the Gautam Adani matter, according to NBC News.

The short version

  • The Trump administration fired a Justice Department fraud section prosecutor who had handled the case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani.[NBC News]
  • The prosecutor had asked to withdraw from the case shortly after a senior official moved to dismiss charges against Adani in May.[NBC News]
  • A federal judge dismissed the case while criticizing the administration's unusual conduct, though officials maintained the prosecution was legally indefensible.[NBC News]

Key facts

  • The Trump administration fired a Justice Department fraud section prosecutor who previously worked on the Gautam Adani prosecution.[NBC News]
  • The prosecutor was one of two attorneys who asked to withdraw from the case after Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter moved for dismissal.[NBC News]
  • Adani had been indicted in November 2024 over allegations of defrauding U.S. investors and bribing officials in India.[NBC News]
  • District Judge Nicholas Garaufis criticized the administration's conduct as highly unusual when granting the dismissal.[NBC News]
  • McCotter stated the prosecution was indefensible and denied that prospective U.S. investments affected the decision to drop charges.[NBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether Adani's promised U.S. investments served as a quid pro quo for dropping the charges remains disputed by the Justice Department.[NBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.