Mohamed Bahi, Ex-Eric Adams Aide, to Plead Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charges
Ex-Aide Agrees to Plead Guilty to Conspiracy
Mohamed Bahi, a former senior aide to Mayor Eric Adams, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy, according to the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office. Bahi was initially charged in October with witness tampering and obstruction of justice in a criminal complaint that alleged he had direct conversations with Adams about an illegal straw donor scheme.
Bahi’s Alleged Involvement
The feds alleged in the complaint that Bahi spoke with the mayor hours after the FBI showed up in June to question the straw donors. The complaint states that he told one of the donors that he had met with the mayor and that the mayor “believed” the donor would not cooperate with the FBI.
Case Against Adams Continues
The revelation of Bahi’s intended plea indicates that Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon is continuing to pursue the case against Adams. The New York Times reported last week that Justice Department officials spoke recently with her office, along with Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro, about dismissing the case against him. However, it is not known if Bahi has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, and no date has been set for him to appear in court and enter his plea.
Potential Witness
Bahi could be a key witness due to what prosecutors allege was his direct interaction with the mayor about illegal straw donations. In the indictment brought against Adams, prosecutors charge the mayor knowingly solicited and accepted these donations, including some they allege were actually funded by the Turkish government, and then used these donations to try and increase his share of public matching funds.
Cooperating Witnesses
If he does agree to assist prosecutors, he would be the second mayoral aide to do so. Rana Abbasova, Adams’ former liaison to the Turkish community, is already cooperating. The businessman who reimbursed the donors at Bahi’s behest has also agreed to cooperate with law enforcement in the hopes of gaining leniency in connection with the investigation.
Status of Other Aides
The status of a third mayoral aide implicated in the Adams’ campaign fraud allegations, Ahsan Chughtai, is unknown. Chughtai is identified as “Adams Employee 2” in the Southern District of New York indictment against Adams, which claimed Chughtai assisted Bahi in the straw donor scheme. He was questioned by the FBI in June and resigned in October after Bahi was arrested. There’s no public record that Chughtai has been charged with a crime related to the investigation.
Conclusion
The case against Mayor Eric Adams continues, with Bahi’s intended plea guilty to conspiracy a significant development. As the investigation continues, it is likely that more charges will be added and more co-defendants may be identified.
FAQs
Q: What is Mohamed Bahi accused of?
A: Bahi is accused of organizing an illegal straw donor scheme for Mayor Eric Adams and witness tampering.
Q: What is the case against Mayor Eric Adams?
A: The case against Adams alleges that he knowingly solicited and accepted illegal donations, including some from overseas, and used these donations to try and increase his share of public matching funds.
Q: Has Mayor Eric Adams been charged with a crime?
A: Not yet, but he is scheduled to go to trial on April 21.
Q: Are there other mayoral aides involved in the investigation?
A: Yes, three mayoral aides have been implicated in the investigation, including Mohamed Bahi, Rana Abbasova, and Ahsan Chughtai.
