ALBAWABA - US federal prosecutors are seeking to drop a high-profile corruption prosecution against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani following a cash deal and a change in his legal defense team.
Adani and his nephew agreed to pay a $18 million civil penalty without admitting or rejecting the claims, according to disclosures by Adani Green Energy. The case, dating back to late 2024, charged them of participating in a wide-ranging corruption conspiracy tied to energy contracts.
The change came when Adani brought in a new defense team lead by lawyer Robert Giuffra, who has represented U.S. President Donald Trump, the New York Times said.
Adani’s lawyers reportedly told the U.S. Department of Justice that the billionaire would be prepared to invest as much as $10 billion in the United States and create thousands of jobs if the case were to be dismissed.
Adani, who is widely viewed as a close ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has faced allegations that he bribed Indian officials to win solar energy contracts while hiding the plot from American and international investors.
He was indicted with his nephew and another CEO, with prosecutors accusing the trio of misleading investors while soliciting funds.
The decision to abandon the case is a key development in one of the most widely followed legal battles involving a major global corporate figure and highlights the interplay of legal strategy, economic interests and international business ties.
