A New York City official was arrested Tuesday on charges of witness tampering and destruction of evidence in relation to the criminal probe into Mayor Eric Adams’s 2021 campaign funding.
Mohamed Bahi, who was Adams’s former top liaison to the Muslim community, is set to appear before Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court later on Tuesday.
“As alleged, Mohamed Bahi obstructed a federal criminal investigation by instructing witnesses to lie and then destroying evidence,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams released in a statement.
“The charges unsealed today should leave no doubt about the seriousness of any effort to interfere with a federal investigation, particularly when undertaken by a government employee.”
Bahi allegedly intimidated and threatened five witnesses, directing them to lie to law enforcement with the intent to hinder, delay, and prevent their communication with legal officials.
“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 E. Dennehy said.
Bahi could face up to 20 years in prison. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit.
Adams has continued to maintain his innocence in the face of federal bribery and campaign finance charges. He has also resisted calls to resign despite losing a growing number of top aides. Seven in 10 New Yorkers think the mayor should step down, according to a recent poll.
Adams’s lawyers have accused prosecutors of prematurely leaking sensitive case information to major media outlets, and preventing a fair trial.
The Hill has reached out to Bahi for comment.