A one-time aide to former New York City Mayor Eric Adams was charged with federal bribery counts in connection with allegations he helped fix contracts with two separate companies seeking business with the city. 

Anthony Herbert, who worked in the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, is charged with helping a security firm win a contract with the New York City Housing Authority. Separately, Herbert is accused of helping a funeral home win a deal with the city to help with burial services for the poor.  In exchange, IRS Criminal Investigations the city’s Department of Investigation says Herbery took thousands in payoffs.

Federal prosecutors also allege Herbert ripped off the federal Paycheck Protection Program after COVID allegedly creating a fake “baked-goods” company to improperly get $20,000 in assistance.  Fraud charges part of the indictment which alleges Herbert’s criminal schemes took place from 2022-2025.

“As alleged, at a time when Anthony Herbert was serving as City Hall’s liaison to the City’s public housing residents, he engaged in blatant pay-to-play schemes to enrich himself,” US Attorney for the Southern District Jay Clayton said in a statement.

Attempts to reach Herbert – who is in custody awaiting his court appearance in federal court – or a lawyer representing him were not immediately successful. 

IRS-CI agents said while working as a public official, Herbert’s crimes amounted to a “side hustle of bribery and fraud.”

NY IRS-CI director Harry Chavis Jr. said that Herbert “took advantage of his role to line his pockets by offering unfair advantages to certain businesses.”

Officials allege the unnamed security company director delivered $5,000 in cash to Herbert saying,” I could definitely get you more money. I see you seriously working …” to pressure City Hall to help him get contracts at NYCHA.

The Department of Investigation said Herbert took $16,000 in all in illegal kickbacks. DOI’s Jocelyn Strauber said he “filed false financial disclosures with the City omitting the payments he received to conceal his criminal conduct.”

The charges against Herbert are the latest taint of alleged corruption surrounding the Adams’ administration.  Adams himself was indicted on corruption charges while mayor but that case was later dismissed amid controversy over whether the Justice Department dropped the charges in exchange for help with immigration enforcement. Both the DOJ and Adams denied any improper deal.

Other members of the former Adams administration facing questions about their time with City Hall include:  

  • Ingrid Lewis-Martin was indicted in August on state bribery and money laundering counts. She has pleaded not guilty.
  • Winnie Greco, the former Asian affairs director, had her home searched by FBI in February 2024. No charges have been filed.
  • Phil Banks, the former deputy mayor of public safety, and David Banks faced questions about a consulting firm set up by their brother Terence. No charges have been filed.
  • Former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, whose brother was running a nightclub security business, also faced questions. No charges have been filed.  

The above issues helped lead to a drop in Adams’ poll numbers as he sought – and lost – re-election as mayor.