Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal have asked Attorney General Todd Blanche to explain why the DOJ dismissed a New York fraud and bribery case against billionaire Gautam Adani after reports that he offered a $10 billion US investment. A federal judge approved the dismissal in August while noting irregularities but later said the investment did not influence the decision. The senators seek detailed records and want to know whether Trump associates such as Boris Epshteyn or Donald Trump Jr. were involved. Responses were requested by 5 October.
Senators Demand Answers After DOJ Drops Bribery Case Against Billionaire Gautam Adani
Gautam Adani pictured in October last year. The senators saidPhotograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images
Democratic senators have intensified scrutiny of the US Department of Justice after prosecutors moved to dismiss a high-profile New York fraud and bribery case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani shortly after he reportedly offered a $10 billion investment in the United States.
Background
Adani was indicted in New York in 2024 on allegations that he participated in a bribery and fraud scheme, allegedly paying Indian officials to secure a contract for one of his companies. He has denied the charges. In May, prosecutors abruptly sought to dismiss the case; a federal judge approved the dismissal in August while noting apparent "irregularities" and calling the move "highly unusual." The judge later said the reported investment did not influence the Department of Justice's decision.
New Questions and Congressional Requests
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal have again asked Attorney General Todd Blanche to explain the Justice Department's handling of the prosecution and whether any individuals close to former President Donald Trump influenced the outcome. The request follows reporting by The New York Times that Adani, through one of Trump’s personal lawyers, offered to invest $10 billion in the US as part of efforts to resolve the matter.
Allegations and Denials
Subsequent reports have alleged that Boris Epshteyn, a member of Trump’s legal team and an informal adviser, assisted Adani, and that Donald Trump Jr. met with Adani in November 2025 before the case was dropped. Spokespeople for Epshteyn and Trump Jr. have denied that those interactions affected DOJ actions. Adani’s legal team — led by Robert Giuffra Jr. after he was retained — and DOJ prosecutors did not publicly attribute the dismissal to the investment offer.
What Senators Are Seeking
In their latest letter, Warren and Blumenthal demand detailed information about the alleged investment proposal, including:
- Which DOJ employees were present when the offer was made;
- The precise terms, timing and location of the proposed investment;
- Whether DOJ staff knew Epshteyn was acting on Adani’s behalf or communicated with him;
- Whether Donald Trump Jr., or anyone representing him, contacted DOJ personnel about Adani.
The senators warned that the involvement of two of President Trump's personal lawyers raises serious concerns about potential political influence and special treatment for well-connected insiders. They requested responses by 5 October. The Guardian has asked the Attorney General’s office for comment.
Why this matters: The case touches on the independence of federal prosecutors, potential foreign influence, and whether political connections can affect the pursuit of white-collar crime.
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