Former New York City Housing Liaison Charged With Taking Bribes

Anthony Herbert, a former public housing liaison in the administration of former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, has been charged with federal bribery, fraud, and other offenses. The 61-year-old pleaded not guilty in federal court on January 13 and was released on a $50,000 bond. The charges allege that Herbert solicited and accepted bribes in exchange for pressuring officials to award contracts to a security company and a funeral home according to AP News.

Federal prosecutors said Herbert abused his position from 2022 to 2025 while serving as both a member of the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit and as the citywide public housing liaison. The indictment claims he received $11,000 in cash from a security company executive and $5,000 in kickbacks from a funeral home as reported by Bloomberg. In addition, Herbert is accused of submitting false financial disclosure forms to hide the payments.

Herbert's legal team maintains his innocence. His attorney, Richard Washington, stated that Herbert "maintains his innocence" and looks forward to a trial according to NBC News. Herbert's arrest and charges come amid continued scrutiny of Adams' administration, which has faced multiple corruption investigations. These include the ongoing case against Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams' chief advisor, and the previously dismissed charges against Adams himself according to AP News.

What Led to the Charges Against Herbert?

Herbert's alleged misconduct centered around two distinct schemes. In the first, he is accused of receiving cash from a security executive in exchange for pressuring city officials to award the company contracts at public housing projects. The indictment includes a quote from Herbert to the security executive: "This is what we do, bro. This is what we do" according to CBS News.

In the second scheme, Herbert allegedly accepted kickbacks from a funeral home director in return for approving financial assistance for burial services for low-income families. He is also accused of filing a fraudulent loan application on behalf of a fake baked goods company to secure a $200,000 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program.

What Is the Broader Context for These Charges?

Herbert's case is part of a broader pattern of alleged corruption in the Adams administration. Adams himself was indicted in 2024 on federal corruption charges, but the case was dismissed in 2025 amid controversy over whether it was dropped in exchange for help with immigration enforcement according to AP News.

The case has also led to the resignation of Manhattan's top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, who refused to carry out the dismissal of Adams' charges according to AP News. Herbert, who was fired in September for online posts related to a right-wing activist's death, now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges according to CBS News.

How Have Officials and the Public Reacted?

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York said New Yorkers "deserve honest and competent public officials," and that the charges against Herbert reflect a pattern of abuse of public office according to Bloomberg. Herbert has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that he was "just doing his job" according to CBS News.

The case has drawn attention from both legal and political observers, with critics of Adams arguing that the continued charges against his aides underscore the need for accountability in public office. Herbert is scheduled to return to court on January 30 according to NBC News.

What Are the Implications for New York City?

The ongoing investigations into Herbert and other officials in the Adams administration raise questions about the integrity of the city's governance and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. The charges against Herbert are the latest in a series of legal actions against high-profile figures in New York City politics.

Investors and market participants should remain attentive to how these developments impact the city's governance and any subsequent reforms that might be enacted to prevent similar incidents in the future. The continued legal scrutiny also has implications for public trust in government institutions and may influence political strategies in the coming months according to ABC News.