Brooklyn, NY – A federal judge has formally dismissed a 2024 bribery case against Indian magnate Gautam Adani, who was accused of participating in a $265 million scheme to bribe Indian officials for solar energy contracts. U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis approved a May request from prosecutors to drop the allegations, a decision that has drawn scrutiny due to a reported investment pledge and the unusual process surrounding the dismissal.
During earlier proceedings, Judge Garaufis had questioned whether a reported $10 billion investment in the American economy, allegedly offered by Adani’s attorney Robert Giuffra (who also represents Donald Trump) to Justice Department officials in April, influenced the government’s decision to drop the charges. While the judge ultimately concluded that the investment pledge was not a factor in prosecutorial decision-making, he expressed strong disapproval of how the dismissal was handled.
Judge Garaufis was particularly critical of Deputy Associate Attorney General Trent McCotter, a Trump appointee, for his role in the case’s dismissal. “The fact that McCotter came to this decision largely in collaboration with defense counsel, and seemingly without input from the FBI and SEC agents who investigated the alleged misconduct, or (prosecutors) who brought the case, appears to be highly unusual,” Judge Garaufis wrote.
Adani, one of India’s wealthiest individuals and a vocal supporter of Donald Trump on social media, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including corporate fraud allegations and a stock market crash. He is also a close ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing from the leader’s home state of Gujarat. The Adani Group is a vast conglomerate in India, with business interests spanning ports, power plants, cement factories, and media organizations.
Following the court’s decision, Adani took to social media, stating, “I welcome the US court’s decision with humility and deep respect for the judicial process. Throughout this challenging period, our faith in truth, fairness and the rule of law remained unwavering.”
© 2026 AFP
