A former New York City official was arrested on Tuesday, facing charges of witness tampering and destroying evidence in a sweeping federal investigation that has implicated Mayor Eric Adams. The investigation alleges Adams took bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign interests, leading to a serious indictment.
The charges come at a time when Adams’ administration has been rocked by an exodus of top officials as federal prosecutors intensify their probe. The focus of the investigation now involves accusations that Adams used his staff to cover up potential wrongdoing.
The accused official, Mohamed Bahi, who until recently served as the mayor’s liaison to the Muslim community, is alleged to have encouraged a businessman to arrange illegal straw donations from his employees and instructed him to lie about the transactions to the FBI. Prosecutors further revealed that Bahi informed the businessman that Adams believed the businessman would not cooperate with law enforcement. When agents arrived at Bahi’s home in July, he allegedly deleted an encrypted messaging app used to communicate with Adams.
Speaking publicly on Tuesday, Mayor Adams denied any involvement, stating firmly that he would never instruct anyone to lie or break the law. He emphasized his stance on maintaining integrity, saying, “I would never instruct anyone to do anything illegal or improper.”
Bahi, 40, was taken into custody early Tuesday, but he was later released after a brief appearance in federal court in Manhattan. He has not yet entered a plea but was ordered to surrender his travel documents and avoid contact with witnesses. Bahi is the first person aside from the mayor to be charged in this investigation, and Adams has described Bahi as a “thoughtful” liaison who worked to resolve conflicts within the community.
This investigation comes amid growing resignations from Adams’ administration, with many high-profile officials stepping down. These departures include Sheena Wright, Adams’ first deputy mayor, who resigned on Monday. This followed the resignation of her brother-in-law, Philip Banks, Adams’ deputy mayor for public safety. Winnie Greco, the director of Asian affairs for the city, also resigned recently. Wright’s representative declined to comment on the reasons for her resignation.
In recent weeks, Adams has maintained a public persona of resilience, continuing to attend briefings and public events. However, his administration has been visibly shaken by the federal investigation. His schools chancellor, David Banks, who is married to Sheena Wright, is also set to leave office earlier than initially expected. Similarly, Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned last month, stating that he did not want the investigation to distract from the police department’s work. Senior mayoral advisor Timothy Pearson has also stepped down.
All six officials who have resigned had their devices seized by federal authorities, and they have denied any involvement in wrongdoing. Adams himself pleaded not guilty on September 27 to charges that he accepted around $100,000 worth of lavish international flights, hotel stays, meals, and entertainment, in addition to illegally soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, including representatives from Turkey.
Federal prosecutors have signaled that the investigation is far from over. At a recent hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten confirmed that several related investigations are ongoing, and it is likely that more individuals will face charges. Additional charges against Adams remain a possibility.
Adding further complexity to the case is the firing of Rana Abbasova, Adams’ former director of protocol for international affairs. Abbasova, who has been on unpaid leave since the FBI raided her home last year, is now serving as a key witness for the prosecution, according to Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro. Abbasova was reportedly involved in fundraising activities central to the charges against the mayor, including accompanying Adams on trips to Turkey.
Despite the mounting pressure, Adams has vowed to stay in office and seek reelection next year. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who holds the power to remove Adams from office, indicated last week that she is working closely with the mayor to ensure his administration remains functional amid the turmoil. Hochul acknowledged that changes within the administration are expected and already underway.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stressed the gravity of Bahi’s charges, emphasizing the seriousness of any effort to interfere with a federal investigation, particularly by a government employee. Williams reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth, wherever the investigation may lead.
In connection with Adams, the indictment claims he knowingly accepted illegal contributions from Turkish nationals, disguising the payments through U.S. citizens to unlock public campaign funds. Despite these allegations, Adams continues to deny any illegal activity or knowledge of straw donations.
The investigation began in 2021 when Adams was still serving as Brooklyn borough president and running for mayor. Now, as mayor, he faces an uncertain future as the investigation deepens and threatens to implicate more individuals within his administration.
