Former NYC Official Charged with Tampering Evidence in Mayor Adams Bribery Probe

Former NYC Official Charged with Tampering Evidence in Mayor Adams Bribery Probe

A former New York City official, Mohamed Bahi, has been charged with witness tampering and destroying evidence in connection with a federal investigation into Mayor Eric Adams' bribery indictment. Bahi, who resigned as a community affairs liaison in Adams' administration on Monday, allegedly told a businessman and campaign donors to lie to the FBI in June. He is also accused of deleting an encrypted messaging app, Signal, from his cell phone in July as FBI agents executed a search warrant at his home.

Bahi had used Signal to communicate with Adams, prosecutors said. He was arrested on Tuesday and is expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan. This is the first charge against someone other than Adams in the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that "the charges unsealed today should leave no doubt about the seriousness of any effort to interfere with a federal investigation, particularly when undertaken by a government employee."

Adams, who pleaded not guilty to charges of accepting about $100,000 worth of free or deeply discounted international flights, hotel stays, meals, and entertainment, and seeking illegal campaign contributions from foreign interests, has vowed to remain in office. However, prosecutors are pursuing "several related investigations" and it is "likely" that additional defendants will be charged and "possible" that more charges will be brought against Adams.

This development is significant as it adds another layer to the already complex and controversial case surrounding Mayor Adams.