An ultra-progressive BLM activist who is next in line to be mayor of New York City accepted political contributions from a donor accused of organizing illegal donations for 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. .
Campaign contributions to Williams, who has a history of protesting against police, appear to have similarities to fake donations allegedly made by Mansurov to Adams, 64, during his 2021 mayoral campaign.
The landmark indictment against Adams claims Mansurov illegally refunded $8,000 in total to employees who donated to Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign, in addition to directly contributing $2,000 himself.
Campaign finance records show Williams’ reelection campaign received a $2,100 donation on Jan. 24 from the Brooklyn contractor.
It was revealed that Jumaane Williams, next in line to be mayor of New York City, received $5,000 in donations from donor Tolib Mansurov, who was named in Mayor Eric Adams’ indictment. Pictured: Police officers detain Williams after he and others blocked traffic on Fifth Avenue in front of Trump Tower in New York, on January 20, 2017, during a protest during President Donald’s inauguration. Trump.
Mayor Eric Adams leaves the Thurgood Marshall courthouse after making his first appearance in his corruption case on October 2 in New York City.
Adams has been charged with five crimes: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery in federal programs, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, wire fraud and bribery.
On the same day, two employees of his contractor United Elite Group and his construction management company donated $2,100 and $800 respectively, records show.
Mansurov also donated $10,000 to Williams’ failed 2022 gubernatorial campaign, and state and city campaign finance records show he has donated only to the Adams and Williams campaigns.
A spokesman for Williams said the public defender met with Mansurov as part of his commitment to 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 defender 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, bribery of federal programs and receiving campaign contributions from foreign nationals – as a prominent member of a different ethnic community whose ” contributions were sought.” and done for reasons similar to those of many Turkish and American citizens of Turkish origin.
Adams is accused of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish officials and citizens, and of returning the favor by greasing an FDNY section in a three-story skyscraper that houses the Turkish consulate.
Two Adams campaign workers who later got jobs at City Hall asked Mansurov to contribute $10,000, according to the indictment.
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 return the money to them, according to court documents.
Mansurov ultimately reimbursed four employees $2,000 each for their contributions, a standard stubborn donation scheme, the documents detail.
Adams’ campaign then received the city’s match in donations, the indictment states.
In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, Williams led marches to Brooklyn Borough Hall to demand budget cuts to the NYPD.
Adams pleaded not guilty Sept. 27 to fraud and bribery charges in a case that marks a stunning fall for a man once touted as a future star of the Democratic Party.
According to the indictment, Adams is accused of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish officials and citizens.
At a court hearing Wednesday, a prosecutor said Adams could face additional charges and that more defendants would likely be charged in connection with the alleged plans.
U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten said there was evidence that Adams attempted to tamper with a witness in the investigation, and Scotten said that after FBI agents contacted a witness, the individual received “a clear message from the defendant” that he should not Be honest with the FBI.
Scotten called it a “significant example of witness interference in this case.”
The mayor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
U.S. District Judge Dale Ho said he would set a trial date at a later hearing, but acknowledged the timing was a concern for Adams and the public.
“I’m going to do everything I can to keep the case going,” he said.
Williams, after Adams was indicted last week, canceled his public schedule, a move seen as the progressive politician preparing to potentially take the mayoral title.
The public defender said Adams needed to present a “plan” for the city, but stopped short of calling for his resignation.
“As a public defender, one of the things is to be prepared in case the mayor resigns or is no longer mayor, so that’s something you need to know when you get the job,” Williams told reporters.
During 15 years in public service, Williams has stoked anti-police sentiment and pushed for penal reform, including the elimination of solitary confinement in city prisons. He is also a prominent pro-Palestine 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 budget 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 generation of police officers.
