Former City Hall Aide Explores Plea Deal in Federal Corruption Case
A former aide at City Hall, Mohamed Bahi, who has been charged with witness tampering in connection with the federal corruption investigation surrounding Mayor Eric Adams, is reportedly in discussions with prosecutors regarding a potential guilty plea. This development raises the intriguing possibility that he might collaborate with authorities against the mayor himself.
The details of these discussions were revealed in court documents filed on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan. However, it remains uncertain whether these negotiations will culminate in a plea agreement, and the filings do not specify whether any potential deal would include cooperation or testimony against Mayor Adams. Notably, the trial for Mr. Adams is slated to commence on April 21.
It is not uncommon for prosecutors to offer leniency to individuals who may possess valuable evidence against the subjects of ongoing investigations. The criminal complaint against Mr. Bahi indicates that the prosecution may have a robust case, which could incentivize him to seek such an agreement if he has information deemed beneficial to the government.
Mr. Bahi, aged 40, held the position of a City Hall liaison to New York’s Muslim community until his resignation on October 7, the day preceding his arrest on federal charges of witness tampering and evidence destruction.
Tracking Charges and Investigations in Eric Adams’s Orbit
Five distinct corruption inquiries have emerged concerning the activities surrounding Mayor Eric Adams of New York. Below is an overview of the allegations against Mr. Adams and the connections between individuals tied to him and the ongoing investigations.
- Prosecutor Derek Wikstrom, who is handling the case against Mr. Bahi, filed a motion requesting that the U.S. magistrate judge overseeing the case grant additional time for discussions regarding a potential plea agreement.
- Mr. Bahi’s attorney, Derek Adams, has agreed to this request for an extension, as noted by Mr. Wikstrom in the court filings.
- It is important to note that Mr. Bahi’s prosecution is being conducted separately from that of Mayor Adams.
