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DOJ Moves To Drop Fraud Case Against Indian Billionaire Gautam Adani

The Department of Justice asked a federal judge on May 18, 2026 to dismiss criminal fraud and conspiracy charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani in Brooklyn federal court.[1]

The dismissal motion was signed by Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter and Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., and it follows an SEC settlement in a related civil case.[1] Adani was never arrested or brought to the United States in the case.[1]

Adani was indicted in 2024 on conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud counts tied to a 12-gigawatt solar power deal and alleged $265 million in bribes to Indian officials.[1]

Observers linked expectations that the case would be dropped to President Donald Trump's 2025 suspension of enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.[1]

  1. PBS News
Courts & Legal Corporate Crime & Enforcement
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📌 Key Facts

  • On May 18, 2026, DOJ asked Judge Nicholas Garaufis to dismiss criminal fraud and conspiracy charges against Gautam Adani in Brooklyn federal court.
  • Adani was indicted in 2024 on conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud counts tied to a 12-gigawatt solar power deal and alleged $265 million in bribes to Indian officials.
  • The dismissal motion is signed by Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter and Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., and follows an SEC settlement in a related civil case.
  • Adani was never arrested or brought to the U.S. in the case, and observers linked expectations of dismissal to President Trump’s suspension of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement in 2025.

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May 18, 2026