Ahsan Chughtai, a special assistant to Mayor Eric Adams, was visited by FBI and city Department of Investigation agents last summer in connection with a corruption probe at City Hall. Chughtai, who was fired in September, was a liaison with the Muslim community. Another mayoral aide, Mohamed Bahi, was arrested for witness tampering and destruction of evidence in the corruption case against Adams. Bahi allegedly facilitated illegal straw donations to Adams’ re-election campaign. Chughtai’s role in the investigation is unclear.
Ahsan Chughtai, a former special assistant to Mayor Eric Adams who earned $140,000 a year, was fired in September amid an investigation into corruption at City Hall. Sources reveal that Chughtai was visited by FBI agents and the city Department of Investigation last summer as part of the ongoing probe.
Chughtai, who served as a liaison between Mayor Adams’ office and the Muslim community, has roots in Pakistan. He has not responded to requests for comments regarding the investigation. The reason for the visit from investigators remains unclear. Another mayoral aide, Mohamed Bahi, who also worked as a liaison to the Muslim community, was arrested and charged with witness tampering and destruction of evidence in connection with the corruption case against Mayor Adams.
Bahi was implicated in an alleged scheme to facilitate illegal straw donations to Mayor Adams’ re-election campaign. Prosecutors mentioned an unnamed City Hall employee, believed to be Bahi, who arranged for several illegal straw donations to the mayor’s campaign. According to a federal complaint, Bahi persuaded the owner of a Brooklyn construction firm, United Elite Group, and four employees to each donate $2,000 to Adams’ campaign in December 2020.
The CEO of United Elite Group, Tolib Mansurov, reimbursed the employees, a prohibited practice that conceals the true origin of campaign contributions and circumvents donation limits. Mansurov is now cooperating with the FBI investigation, as stated in the complaint.
Chughtai was appointed by Mayor Adams to engage with the Muslim community on his behalf in March 2022. His appointment was commended by Pakistan’s Consul General in New York, Ayesha Ali, who lauded the vibrant Pakistani community. The FBI and the Department of Investigation have not provided any comments on the visit to Chughtai’s home.
In conclusion, the corruption probe at City Hall involving Mayor Eric Adams and his aides, including Ahsan Chughtai and Mohamed Bahi, continues to unfold as more details emerge. The investigation sheds light on alleged misconduct and illegal activities within the administration, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in government operations.
Source: TheCity.NYC
