Former Adams aide Tony Herbert arrested on sweeping federal bribery charges

Tony Herbert, who served as an aide to former Mayor Eric Adams, was arrested by federal authorities Tuesday on sweeping public corruption charges alleging he took bribes and kickbacks during his time at City Hall.
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The longtime Adams associate, who was fired from his job last year over a social media post about Charlie Kirk, was hit with bribery, kickback offenses, and a number of fraud charges in an indictment unsealed in Manhattan Federal Court.

He’s accused of abusing his government position in exchange for bribes and kickbacks between October 2022 through May 2025 in two distinct schemes.
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Attempts to reach Herbert were unsuccessful. He was expected to appear before a judge later Tuesday.

​“New Yorkers deserve honest and competent public officials,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement.
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“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.  The women and men of the Southern District of New York are committed to holding accountable government officials who abuse their positions of trust to benefit themselves.”

This developing story will be updated.