Mohamed Bahi was arrested on Tuesday after he resigned from his position in the Mayor Eric Adams administration. He is accused of obstructing an investigation into the mayor’s campaign and resignation.
Bahi was the senior liaison for community affairs in the Adams administration until Monday when he resigned.
He was accused of witness tampering, destruction of evidence, and destroying witnesses.
According to the criminal complaint, Bahi told Adams donors to lie to FBI agents and deleted Signal from his phone when agents arrived at his home.
Bahi had allegedly previously organized a fundraiser in Brooklyn for Adams’ 2020 mayoral campaign. Prosecutors said that although four employees made contributions under their names, the contributions were funded by the chief executive officer of the firm.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that Bahi “obstructed a federal criminal investigation” by telling witnesses to lie and then destroying evidence.
Williams stated in a press release, “The charges unveiled today should leave no question about the seriousness of any attempt to interfere with an investigation by the federal government, especially when undertaken by a Government employee.” “Our commitment is to follow the facts and uncover the truth wherever they lead.”
Bahi will appear in court on Tuesday evening. It wasn’t immediately clear if he had an attorney.
The indictment of Adams and those in his orbit comes after a wide-ranging investigation into Adams’s office. Investigators have also seized electronic devices and compelled others to resign or raid their homes.
Adams is the only New York City Mayor currently in office to be charged with a crime.
He has denied several charges including fraud and bribery, and refused to step down from his position as mayor.
