Tony Herbert, former aide to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, arrested on bribery and fraud charges

Tony Herbert, an aide in former New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration, was arrested Tuesday morning, accused of accepting $16,000 in bribes and kickbacks.

Herbert, 61, appeared before a judge Tuesday afternoon for allegations he abused his authority as a public official. He served as New York City-wide public housing liaison.

Former NYC official accused of taking money for favors

The 25-page indictment details two alleged schemes from 2022-2025.

Herbert is accused of pressuring government officials to give city contracts to one security company, which included providing services at NYCHA developments.

The security executive allegedly recorded their conversations, during which Herbert is accused of telling him he wouldn't be attending a meeting with City Hall officials because "it would look like I'm f****** soliciting, soliciting, uh, f****** government contracts."

It's also alleged Herbert steered publicly funded financial assistance payments for burial services for low-income families to a particular funeral home.

The indictment claims he accepted $16,000 in bribes and kickbacks, and filed false financial disclosure forms to hide it.

Herbert is also accused of submitting a fraudulent loan application on behalf of a fake baked goods company to get a $20,000 loan from the Federal Paycheck Protection Program established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"New Yorkers deserve honest and competent public officials," said Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  "As alleged, at a time when Anthony Herbert was serving as City Hall's liaison to the City's public housing residents, he engaged in blatant pay-to-play schemes to enrich himself. The women and men of the Southern District of New York are committed to holding accountable government officials who abuse their positions of trust to benefit themselves."

Herbert pleads not guilty

Herbert told CBS News New York that he was just doing his job and that he had longtime relationships with the people involved.

Outside court, he said, "I didn't do anything wrong," later adding, "I didn't do none of that."

"He's entered a plea of not guilty and we're just gonna let the case play out in court," Herbert's attorney said.

Herbert is due back in court Jan. 30.

He was fired by City Hall back in September for online posts he wrote related to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.