Mohamed Bahi, an aide to Mayor Eric Adams, was charged with witness tampering and destruction of evidence in connection with a federal corruption case against Adams. Bahi is accused of facilitating a scheme where illegal donations were made to Adams’ 2021 election campaign. After being arrested, Bahi resigned from his city position and is due in federal court. The businessman involved in the scheme is cooperating with investigators. Several other Adams’ deputies and advisors have also departed amid federal probes. Adams denied giving illegal instructions and downplayed the departures, emphasizing that his administration is still committed to serving New York City.
Mohamed Bahi, a senior aide to Mayor Eric Adams, has been charged with witness tampering and destruction of evidence in connection with a federal corruption case against the mayor. The charges were revealed in a complaint unsealed by a Manhattan judge. Bahi, who is the first person to face federal charges in the investigation into the Adams campaign and administration, allegedly helped facilitate a scheme where illegal pass-through donations were made to the mayor’s 2021 election campaign in exchange for favors.
According to the complaint, Bahi allegedly took steps to prevent the businessman involved in the scheme and other donors from cooperating with the investigation after the FBI executed a search warrant on the businessman in June. He reportedly assured them that the FBI would not be able to prove they had been reimbursed in cash and claimed to have spoken with Mayor Adams, who was referred to as “Official-1” in the complaint.
The complaint further alleges that Bahi used the encrypted messaging app Signal to communicate with Mayor Adams and deleted the app from his phone before surrendering it to investigators during a search of his Staten Island home in July. Bahi resigned from his city position, which paid $80,000 last year, and was arrested on Tuesday. He is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Manhattan.
The businessman involved in the scheme, believed to be Tolib Mansurov of United Elite Group, has reportedly cooperated with federal investigators and admitted his role in the straw donor scheme. Mansurov and his company have not responded to requests for comment.
In the aftermath of federal search warrants and the mayor’s indictment in late September, several other high-profile officials, deputies, advisors, and fundraisers have departed from the Adams administration. These include First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Police Commissioner Edward Caban, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, Senior Advisor Tim Pearson, Schools Chancellor David Banks, and community liaisons Winnie Greco and Rana Abbasova.
During a press briefing, Mayor Adams addressed the departures, emphasizing that the city’s workforce of 300,000 employees remains dedicated to serving New York City. Adams maintains that he never instructed anyone to engage in illegal activities and stressed the importance of following the law.
The situation surrounding Mohamed Bahi and the federal corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams continues to unfold, with ongoing investigations and legal proceedings expected to shed more light on the allegations and potential implications for the Adams administration.
Source: TheCity.NYC
