Former aide to NYC Mayor Eric Adams pleads guilty in straw donor scheme

Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News on Aug 12, 2025

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NEW YORK — Former City Hall aide Mohamed Bahi pleaded guilty to conspiracy Tuesday for his role in organizing illegal straw donor contributions toward Eric Adams’s 2021 campaign for mayor.

Bahi, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy related to wire fraud in Manhattan federal court. He admitted to helping to organize a December 2020 fundraiser at which construction company employees donated money they’d later be reimbursed.

Bahi said he did so knowing Adams’s campaign would be able to use the donations to seek matching funds from the city “and that it was wrong.”

In a separate case, Adams was accused of soliciting bribes and illegal contributions to both his 2021 and 2025 campaigns, mostly from Turkish government operatives. Those charges were dropped in a controversial move by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department.

As part of his plea deal, Bahi waived his right to appeal and agreed to pay $32,000 in restitution and between $2,000 to $20,000 in fines. The terms will be set at his sentencing, which was set for Nov. 18.

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