Former Eric Adams Chief of Staff Charged in Federal Migrant Shelter Bribery Case
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams' chief of staff, Frank Carone, has been arrested on federal bribery charges tied to a lucrative migrant shelter contract, adding to the legal scrutiny surrounding Adams' former administration.
Federal prosecutors allege Carone accepted more than $100,000 in bribes in exchange for helping secure a $6.8 million migrant shelter contract for a Queens hotel that city social service officials had previously deemed unsuitable for the project.
According to the indictment, the payments were allegedly funneled through Carone's brother's law firm to conceal the scheme. Carone faces charges including bribery, wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. He has pleaded not guilty.
Three other defendants—including Carone's brother Anthony Carone, hotel owner Yan Po Zhu, and hotel employee Crystal Chen—were also charged and have denied wrongdoing.
Former Mayor Eric Adams was not accused of any wrongdoing in this indictment. Adams previously faced separate federal bribery and campaign finance charges, but those charges were later dismissed. Prosecutors say the new case is independent of the earlier investigation.
The indictment is the latest in a series of corruption probes involving former officials in the Adams administration. On the same day, federal investigators also searched the homes of current and former New York Police Department officials as part of a separate bribery investigation.
The case is expected to renew scrutiny over how New York City awarded emergency contracts during the migrant crisis, when billions of dollars were spent on shelters and temporary housing