Former NYC Mayor Adams' chief of staff and 3 others charged in federal bribery probe

By — Dave Collins, Associated Press Dave Collins, Associated Press By — Jake Offenhartz, Associated Press Jake Offenhartz, Associated Press By — Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press By — Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/former-nyc-mayor-adams-chief-of-staff-and-3-others-charged-in-federal-bribery-probe Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Former NYC Mayor Adams' chief of staff and 3 others charged in federal bribery probe Politics Jun 24, 2026 4:40 PM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — A former chief of staff to ex-New York Mayor Eric Adams was arrested Wednesday in a bribery case, the latest sign that federal prosecutors continue to scrutinize Adams' inner circle months after the scandal-bruised Democrat left office. The charges against Frank Carone are the latest in a string of corruption allegations leveled at the former mayor — who was himself indicted on bribery and other charges that were later dismissed — and key aides. Separately, federal authorities searched the homes of current and former New York Police Department leaders Wednesday in connection with a different bribery investigation. READ MORE: Federal judge dismisses corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams Adams was not accused of wrongdoing in Carone's indictment. It alleges the ex-chief of staff exploited his position to get more than $100,000 in payoffs for steering a lucrative migrant shelter contract to a hotel that city social service officials had deemed unsuitable. "Frank Carone was entrusted to run our city government and instead put his own wealth and status above duty," Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Winik told a court. Carone lawyer Arthur Aidala said in a statement that the indictment "epitomizes the government first finding a target and then spending three years and enormous taxpayer resources to find a crime." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Carone's brother, Anthony Carone; hotel owner Yan Po Zhu, and hotel employee Crystal Chen also were charged with crimes that carry the potential for up to 20 years in prison if they are convicted. All pleaded not guilty through their attorneys. Sitting across from each other at a defense table, Anthony Carone rubbed his face and Frank Carone appeared to read along as a magistrate summarized the charges. Frank Carone and the Sabrina Carpenter church video Carone, a former Brooklyn Democratic Party lawyer and longtime political power broker, is widely credited as one of the architects of Adams' political rise. He also drew attention for his financial dealings with a Roman Catholic church leader who let pop star Sabrina Carpenter film scenes for a provocative music video in the sanctuary. Carone played a key role in Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign, then was chie