Corruption Probe at City Hall: Former Aide Visited by FBI and DOI
Special Assistant Fired in September Received Summer Visit
Ahsan Chughtai, a former special assistant to Mayor Eric Adams, was visited by agents with the FBI and the city Department of Investigation (DOI) last summer, sources familiar with the matter told THE CITY. Chughtai, who was fired in September, was a liaison between Mayor Adams’ office and the Muslim community.
Liaison to Muslim Community
Chughtai, who has roots in Pakistan, did not return THE CITY’s call seeking comment Tuesday. His role as a liaison to the Muslim community was lauded by Pakistan’s Consul General in New York, Ayesha Ali, who wrote on Twitter, "Our vibrant Pakistani community excelling yet again."
Arrest of Another Mayoral Aide
Mohamed Bahi, another mayoral aide who served as a liaison to the Muslim community, was arrested Tuesday and charged with witness tampering and destruction of evidence in connection with the federal corruption case against Adams. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment.
Indictment of Mayor Adams
The charges against Bahi appear to be referenced in the indictment of Mayor Adams regarding a scheme to facilitate illegal straw donations to the mayor’s re-election campaign. Prosecutors referenced an unnamed City Hall employee who arranged for a handful of illegal straw donations to the mayor’s 2023 campaign.
Federal Complaint Unsealed
According to a federal complaint unsealed by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Bahi allegedly got the owner of a Brooklyn construction firm, United Elite Group, and four of his employees, to donate $2,000 each to Adams’ re-election campaign in December 2020. United CEO Tolib Mansurov reimbursed the employees, an illegal tactic that masks the actual source of campaign contributions and evades required donation limits, according to prosecutors.
Conclusion
The corruption probe at City Hall continues to unfold, with another mayoral aide arrested and charged. The visit to Chughtai’s home by FBI and DOI agents last summer raises questions about his potential involvement in the scheme.
FAQs
- Who is Ahsan Chughtai?
- Ahsan Chughtai is a former special assistant to Mayor Eric Adams who was fired in September.
- What was Chughtai’s role in the mayor’s office?
- Chughtai was a liaison between the mayor’s office and the Muslim community.
- Who was arrested and charged in connection with the corruption case?
- Mohamed Bahi, another mayoral aide who served as a liaison to the Muslim community, was arrested and charged with witness tampering and destruction of evidence.
- What is the alleged scheme in the indictment of Mayor Adams?
- The scheme involves facilitating illegal straw donations to the mayor’s re-election campaign.
