Indicted Eric Adams Fundraiser in Possible Plea Discussions with Feds
A fundraiser for Mayor Eric Adams charged in a kickback scheme involving city contracts obtained a delay in the case in preparation for possible plea negotiations with prosecutors in the Brooklyn U.S. attorney’s office, a court filing shows.
Weihong Hu’s Indictment
Weihong Hu was indicted last week in a public corruption scheme, accused of bribing the founder of a nonprofit group, Exodus Transitional Community, that placed released inmates in her hotels during the pandemic with rooms paid for with government funds. She and a co-conspirator, Christopher Dantzler, owner of an unlicensed security firm handling security at the hotels, paid Exodus CEO Julio Medina $2.5 million in bribes in exchange for $51 million in contracts, prosecutors alleged.
Request for Delay in Proceedings
Several hours after Hu appeared in Brooklyn federal court on Feb. 13 to plead not guilty, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney John Durham’s office filed papers requesting the clock be paused leading up to trial, citing "plea negotiations." The document, signed by Magistrate Judge James Cho, also cites "discovery" — obtaining the evidence prosecutors have amassed in the case — as a reason the U.S. attorney and Hu’s counsel, led by defense lawyer Benjamin Branfman, agreed to hit pause.
Plea Negotiations
Cho specifically noted that the time exclusion was approved "given the reasonable likelihood that ongoing plea negotiations will result in a disposition of this case without trial." Both Medina and Dantzler also requested time excluded for the same reasons, referencing "plea negotiations" and "discovery."
Hu’s Involvement in Possible Illegal Acts
Hu’s involvement in possibly illegal acts that implicate Adams’ political campaigns and his administration extend far beyond Exodus, as revealed by THE CITY in a series of investigative reports. If she were to fully cooperate with prosecutors, she could be an explosive witness against the embattled mayor.
Fundraising for Adams’ Campaigns
Hu hosted two fundraisers for Adams’ 2021 campaign at her Fresh Meadows hotel, the location where the city Department of Investigation joined the FBI to execute search warrants last year. In June 2023, Hu threw a fundraiser for Adams’ re-election bid, raising $44,000 at a luxury building in Hudson Yards where she had recently purchased an apartment for $5 million in cash. Two donors told THE CITY that their $2,000 contributions were reimbursed by members of Hu’s family — making them "straw donations" forbidden under the city’s campaign finance program.
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Conclusion
The delay in proceedings may be a sign that Hu is considering cooperating with prosecutors, which could have significant implications for the ongoing investigations into Adams’ administration and his campaigns. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Hu’s cooperation will lead to any charges being brought against the mayor or his associates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the charges against Weihong Hu?
- Weihong Hu is charged with bribing the founder of Exodus Transitional Community, a nonprofit group that placed released inmates in her hotels during the pandemic.
- What is the purpose of the delay in proceedings?
- The delay is to allow for plea negotiations and discovery, which may result in a disposition of the case without trial.
- What is the significance of Hu’s involvement in possible illegal acts?
- If Hu were to fully cooperate with prosecutors, she could be an explosive witness against the embattled mayor Eric Adams.
