Ex-Aide to NYC Mayor Adams Charged With Witness Tampering, Evidence Destruction

Mohamed Bahi, New York City Mayor Eric Adams's former liaison to the Muslim community, exits Manhattan Federal Court in New York on Oct. 8, 2024. Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo

Mohamed Bahi, a former senior liaison in New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s administration, has been charged with witness tampering and destruction of evidence in a widening federal investigation involving bribery allegations against Adams.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the 40-year-old Bahi, of Staten Island, was arrested on Oct. 8 after prosecutors alleged he instructed individuals to lie to FBI agents and deleted encrypted communications during a federal search.

The charges stem from a probe into Adams’s 2021 mayoral campaign, where authorities claim straw donors funneled illegal contributions from foreign sources.

Bahi is accused of obstructing the investigation by directing a businessman and campaign donors to provide false statements to investigators in June. In July, Bahi allegedly deleted the encrypted messaging app Signal—used to communicate with Adams—while FBI agents executed a search warrant at his home.

Bahi’s arrest is the latest development related to the ongoing federal case against Adams, who prosecutors have accused of accepting $100,000 in contributions and undisclosed gifts from foreign entities.

The allegations involve lavish international flights, hotel stays, meals, and entertainment that Adams is accused of receiving in exchange for political favors that benefited representatives of Turkey’s government.

Adams, who remains in office, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors alleged in the complaint against Bahi that he obstructed the federal investigation into Adams by using intimidation and threats and directed five potential witnesses to lie to law enforcement officers.

“These alleged actions were a deceitful attempt to conceal unlawful activity and create unnecessary obstacles for those working to uncover the truth,” FBI Assistant Director James Dennehy said in a statement. “The FBI will continue to apprehend all individuals, regardless of their position, for obstruction of federal investigations.”

Attorneys for Bahi, who faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge of witness tampering and evidence destruction, were not immediately available for comment on the case.

The broader investigation has already led to the indictment of Adams, who is New York City’s first mayor to face criminal charges while in office. As mayor, Adams allegedly accepted free or heavily discounted flights, meals, hotel stays, and entertainment at international destinations in exchange for political favors. These benefits were not disclosed as required on official city filings.

In return for these gifts, Adams is accused of using his influence to assist Turkish government representatives. Specifically, he allegedly expedited the opening of a 36-story consulate building ahead of a high-profile visit from a Turkish official, despite the building failing to undergo mandatory fire safety inspections and containing violations.

To cover up the alleged bribery, Adams is accused of taking steps to hide the transactions. In some cases, Adams allegedly created false paper trails to conceal the gifts, even advising associates on how to disguise illegal activities.

“Adams created and instructed others to create false paper trails, falsely suggesting that he had paid, or planned to pay, for travel benefits that were actually free,” the indictment states. Adams also deleted messages with others involved in his misconduct, including, in one instance, assuring a co-conspirator in writing that he “always” deleted her messages, the indictment alleges.

Despite mounting pressure and calls for his resignation, Adams continues to serve as mayor, while urging the public to withhold its judgment until his side of the story is heard.

During a court appearance on Oct. 2, prosecutors indicated that additional charges against Adams and others might be forthcoming.

No trial date has been determined yet, with Adams’s attorney, Alex Spiro, asking for it to be held in March 2025.

Adams is next scheduled to make a court appearance on Nov. 1.