Democratic senators question DOJ decision to drop case against billionaire
Source: NBC News
June 12, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT
Democratic senators are questioning why the Justice Department moved to drop fraud charges against billionaire Indian businessman Gautam Adani, a significant reversal in a high-profile case. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut wrote a letter asking acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the reportedly transactional nature of the decision to forgo the case.
Adani, who is estimated to be worth more than $100 billion and was considered the richest person in India, was indicted in 2024 in the Eastern District of New York over his suspected role in a massive fraud and bribery scheme, in which he is accused of defrauding U.S. investors and paying off Indian government officials to win a bid to develop the countrys largest solar power plant. He called the accusations baseless.
Trent McCotter, the principal associate deputy attorney general, and U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella told U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in a court filing last month that the office wouldnt devote further resources to the case. The filing didnt include signatures from the prosecutors assigned to the case, which would be customary. Garaufis hasnt yet signed off on the request.
According to Warren and Blumenthal, the Justice Department backed off after Adani hired Robert Giuffra, one of President Donald Trumps personal attorneys. The senators want to know whether Adani, 63, promised to invest $10 billion in the U.S. if the charges were dropped.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/democratic-senators-question-doj-decision-drop-case-billionaire-rcna349690
Link to Sen. Warren PRESS RELEASE - Warren, Blumenthal Open Investigation Into DOJs Move to Drop Charges Against Billionaire
Link to LETTER (inquiry) (PDF) - https://www.warren.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_doj_re_adani.pdf
Faux pas
(16,572 posts)that BRIBERY Is the answer. DUH
SamuelAdams
(288 posts)He might as well just put up a pay for pardons sign on the White House website.