Ex-NYC Official Charged Amid Mayor Eric Adams’ Bribery Probe \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A former New York City official, Mohamed Bahi, was arrested and charged with witness tampering and destroying evidence in the federal investigation against Mayor Eric Adams. Bahi, who served as the mayor’s liaison to the Muslim community, allegedly encouraged illegal campaign donations and attempted to cover up his actions. The investigation has led to multiple resignations of top Adams administration officials, while the mayor denies involvement in any wrongdoing.
NYC Bribery Scandal Deepens: Quick Looks
- Mohamed Bahi, former NYC official, charged with witness tampering and destroying evidence.
- Bahi allegedly encouraged illegal campaign donations and lied to the FBI.
- The charges come amid a federal investigation into Mayor Eric Adams, who has been accused of accepting bribes and illegal campaign funds.
- Several high-profile resignations from Adams’ administration, with officials’ devices seized by investigators.
- Adams denies involvement, pleading not guilty to the charges and continuing his mayoral duties.
Deep Look:
In the latest development of the sweeping federal investigation into New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Mohamed Bahi, a former city official, was arrested and charged with witness tampering and destroying evidence on Tuesday. Bahi, who served as Adams’ liaison to the Muslim community, is the first person other than the mayor to face charges in the case.
The charges against Bahi are part of a broader investigation into allegations that Mayor Adams accepted bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign interests. Federal prosecutors accuse Adams of conspiring with associates to receive illegal funds in exchange for political favors, further compounding the challenges facing his administration as several top officials have resigned under mounting pressure.
Bahi’s Role and the Federal Investigation
According to charging documents, Bahi allegedly urged a businessman to solicit illegal donations for Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign through a straw donor scheme. He reportedly advised the businessman to have four of his employees contribute to Adams’ campaign and then reimbursed them, skirting legal limits on individual donations. Bahi also allegedly encouraged the businessman to lie to the FBI when questioned.
Prosecutors say that Bahi told the businessman Adams believed he wouldn’t cooperate with law enforcement. When FBI agents arrived to search Bahi’s home in July, they say he deleted an encrypted messaging app he had used to communicate with Adams. The app’s deletion was an attempt to destroy evidence, according to federal authorities.
The investigation into Adams has already led to multiple high-profile resignations, including Sheena Wright, Adams’ first deputy mayor, and Philip Banks, the city’s deputy mayor for public safety. All six officials who resigned had their devices seized by federal investigators as part of the inquiry. Despite this, Adams has maintained that the departures were not related to the criminal investigation, a stance contradicted by some of the officials involved.
Mayor Eric Adams Denies Involvement
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Mayor Adams denied any involvement in instructing Bahi or others to lie or engage in illegal behavior. “I would never instruct anyone to do anything illegal or improper,” Adams said, pushing back on the allegations. The mayor has consistently asserted his innocence, pleading not guilty to charges of bribery, illegal campaign contributions, and accepting lavish gifts.
Adams, a Democrat, is accused of accepting roughly $100,000 worth of free flights, hotel stays, and entertainment from foreign nationals, including representatives of Turkey, in exchange for political favors. Prosecutors allege that Adams conspired to funnel illegal campaign donations through U.S. citizens to mask contributions from Turkish nationals, enabling him to unlock public funds through New York City’s matching donations program.
Ongoing Legal and Political Fallout
As the federal investigation into Adams deepens, his administration continues to experience fallout. Over the past few weeks, multiple top officials have resigned, including Schools Chancellor David Banks, Police Commissioner Edward Caban, and senior adviser Timothy Pearson. Adams’ legal challenges have caused concern about his ability to manage city affairs while defending himself in court, but he has vowed to continue serving as mayor and plans to seek reelection next year.
On Monday, the mayor’s office confirmed the firing of another aide, Rana Abbasova, who had been involved in events at the heart of the investigation, including fundraising and overseas trips. Abbasova is now a key witness in the case, according to Adams’ lawyer Alex Spiro.
Adams’ decision to appoint Maria Torres-Springer as Wright’s replacement as first deputy mayor indicates his determination to maintain stability within his administration. Torres-Springer, who previously served as deputy mayor for economic development, is expected to play a key role in navigating the city through this turbulent period.
Federal Prosecutors Continue Their Probe
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Damian Williams, has signaled that the investigation into Adams’ dealings is far from over. In a recent hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten revealed that additional charges and defendants are likely as the inquiry progresses. Williams has vowed to follow the facts wherever they lead, emphasizing the seriousness of efforts to interfere with a federal investigation.
Bahi’s criminal complaint details how the federal probe into illegal donations to Adams’ campaign began as early as 2021, when Adams was running for mayor while serving as Brooklyn borough president. Since his inauguration as mayor in 2022, allegations of corruption and misconduct have shadowed Adams’ administration.
Bahi’s charges include organizing a fundraiser for Adams in December 2020 at a Brooklyn construction company, where he allegedly suggested that employees make donations and be reimbursed by their employer. The fundraiser, in which the donations exceeded legal limits, is a key focus of the investigation.
Future Implications for Adams and His Administration
As the federal investigation unfolds, Mayor Adams’ political future remains uncertain. While he has pledged to continue his mayoral duties and fight the charges against him, the ongoing exodus of key staff members and the growing body of evidence against him raise questions about his ability to maintain public trust and effectively govern New York City.
Additionally, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has acknowledged that changes are expected within Adams’ administration, noting that she is working closely with the mayor to ensure that key roles are filled with responsible individuals. Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office, though she has not indicated any plans to do so at this time.
As the investigation moves forward, the focus will remain on whether Adams will face additional charges and how his administration will weather the ongoing storm of federal scrutiny.
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