Ultra-progressive BLM activist who is next-in-line to be NYC Mayor received donations from donor named in Eric Adams indictment, report says

An ultra-progressive BLM activist who is next in line to become mayor of New York accepted political contributions from a donor accused of arranging illegal donations to Mayor Eric Adams.

Williams, 48, received $5,000 in donations from Tolib Mansurov — an Uzbek American businessman identified as “Businessman 4” in the indictment against the mayor — and two of his employees, city campaign finance records show.

The campaign contributions to Williams — who has a history of protesting police — appear to have similarities to the straw donations Mansurov reportedly made to the 64-year-old Adams during his 2021 mayoral campaign.

The landmark indictment against Adams alleges that Mansurov illegally reimbursed a total of $8,000 to employees who donated to Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign, in addition to directly contributing $2,000 himself.

Campaign finance records show that Williams’ re-election campaign received a $2,100 donation from the Brooklyn contractor on Jan. 24.

Mayor Eric Adams leaves the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse after making his first appearance in his corruption trial in New York City on October 2

Adams has been charged with five felonies: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, solicitation of a contribution by an alien, wire fraud and bribery.

According to the records, two employees from his contractor and construction management company United Elite Group donated $2,100 and $800, respectively, on the same day.

Mansurov also donated $10,000 to Williams’ failed 2022 campaign for governor — with state and city campaign finance records showing he donated only to Adams and Williams’ campaigns.

A spokesperson for Williams said the public advocate met Mansurov as part of his engagement with the Uzbek community.

“We were not aware of his donations to the mayor and have no specific reason to believe the contribution to the public advocate was inappropriate, but the campaign will closely review the donation to ensure both ethical and legal compliance,” the spokesperson said.

The Uzbek businessman is described in the five-page indictment against Adams — who is accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery and receiving campaign contributions from foreigners — as a prominent member of another ethnic community whose “contributions were asked’. and made for similar reasons as the many Turkish citizens and Turkish Americans.”

Adams is accused of taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish officials and nationals, and returning the favor by greasing an FDNY inspection of a three-story skyscraper that houses the Turkish consulate.

Two Adams campaign staffers who later got jobs at City Hall asked Mansurov for a $10,000 contribution, the indictment said.

They told Mansurov that he could not legally donate more than $2,000, and that he should instead direct his employees to contribute to the campaign and then pay them back, court papers show.

Mansurov ultimately reimbursed four employees $2,000 each for their contributions — a standard straw donation program, the documents show.

The Adams campaign then received the city’s reward in donations, the indictment said.

In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, Williams led marches to Brooklyn Borough Hall to demand cuts to the NYPD

Adams pleaded not guilty on September 27 to charges of fraud and bribery in a case that marks a stunning downfall for a man once touted as a future star of the Democratic Party.

According to the indictment, Adams is accused of taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish officials and nationals

During a hearing Wednesday, a prosecutor said Adams may face additional charges and more suspects are likely to be charged in connection with the alleged schemes.

Federal prosecutor Hagan Scotten said there was evidence that Adams tried to tamper with a witness in the investigation, with Scotten claiming that after FBI agents contacted one witness, the person received “a clear message from the suspect” that he was not allowed to be honest with the witness. FBI.

Scotten called it a “significant example of witness interference in this case.”

The mayor has denied being guilty of the charges.

U.S. District Judge Dale Ho said he would set a trial date at a later hearing, but acknowledged that the timing was a concern for Adams and the public.

“I’m going to do my best to move things forward,” he said.

Williams canceled his public calendar after Adams was indicted last week — a move seen as a progressive politician preparing to potentially run for mayor.

The public advocate said Adams should present a “plan” for the city, but did not call for his resignation.

“As a public advocate, you have to be prepared in case the mayor resigns or is no longer mayor, so that’s something you need to know if you get the job,” Williams told reporters.

During fifteen years in public service, Williams has stoked anti-police sentiment and pushed for criminal justice reforms, including ending solitary confinement in city jails. He is also a prominent pro-Palestinian activist.

Williams was a leader of the 2020 BLM protests in New York. In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, he led marches to Brooklyn Borough Hall to demand cuts to the NYPD.

He also threatened to refuse to sign an order authorizing the collection of property taxes, which support the city’s budget.

Williams said he would not sign that order unless the city eliminated the next class of police officers.