Chief Liaison of NYC Mayor Eric Adams to the Muslim community (2022–2024)
Mohamed Bahi (also spelled "Bahe"; born 1983)[a] is an American-Algerian Muslim community activist, and the former Chief Liaison of New York City Mayor Eric Adams to the Muslim community in the mayor's community affairs office.[3] On October 8, 2024, as part of the investigations into the NYC Mayor Eric Adams administration, Bahi was arrested and charged with federal witness tampering and destruction of evidence in connection with an investigation of alleged illegal contributions made to Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign. Bahi faces up to 20 years of prison time on each count.
Early and personal life
Bahi was born in Algeria, and is Muslim. In 1993, he came to the United States with his family, at the age of nine. He said, "September 11 ... connected me to my belief, and made me the person I am today."[4] He now lives in Staten Island, New York.[5]
Non-profit activity
Bahi took leadership of a non-profit center, Muslims Giving Back, providing Islamic community programming and meals. It originally operated from a mosque in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.[4] After a New York Police Department informant at the mosque engaged in surveillance of the center, the mosque evicted the group.[4][6] Muslims Giving Back worked with the ACLU to file a lawsuit against the New York Police Department for its surveillance of the group. Bahi said: "To think that there was a whole force out there monitoring us, following us, reading our texts; that was madness."[4] The center has subsequently operated in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.[7][8][9]
Bahi also founded the Asiyah Women's Center in Brooklyn, providing shelter support.[4][7][8] In 2018 he said that the center planned to apply for grants through then-Brooklyn Borough President Adams's office.[9]
NYC Chief Liaison to the Muslim Community
In 2022, Bahi became the Chief Liaison of New York City Mayor Eric Adams to the Muslim community in the mayor's community affairs office, at a salary of $80,000.[10][11][1][12] As part of his duties, in July 2023 he and Adams met with members of the Uzbek community in New York City to discuss issues pertaining to the community.[13] In January 2024, he was honored at the 8th Annual Recognition Event of the Bait-ul Jamaat House of Community in Staten Island.[14] On October 7, 2024, Bahi resigned.[1]
Indictment
On October 8, 2024, as part of the investigations into the Adams administration, Bahi was arrested by the FBI and charged with federal witness tampering – instructing four witnesses to lie to the FBI – and destruction of evidence. The criminal complaint was in connection with an investigation of alleged illegal contributions made to Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign.[1][15] In the six hours before federal agents seized Bahi's phone, he had abruptly deleted the encrypted messaging app called Signal, according to the complaint against him.[1][16][17]
Each of these charges against Bahi could carry up to 20 years of prison time.[18] Prosecutors said that the five people who allegedly made the straw donations, and were instructed by Bahi to lie, have all admitted to their participation in the scheme.[19] He plans to plead guilty, according to documents filed with the court by prosecutors.[2]
Notes
^The New York Times published Bahi's age as 40 in October 2024[1] and again in February 2025.[2] This is only possible if he was born between February and October 1983.
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