In September 2024, Mayor Eric Adams faced federal corruption charges. Initially suspected of receiving illegal campaign donations from Turkey, the investigation soon expanded to include Adams' connections with Israel, Qatar, China, South Korea – and Uzbekistan.
According to The City, Tolib Mansurov, a New York-based businessman originally from Uzbekistan, has become a central figure in the case.
“A Brooklyn businessman served as a proxy for the government of Uzbekistan to leverage Mayor Eric Adams’ stature as the leader of the nation’s biggest city to sanitize the regime’s tarnished image,” the outlet reported, citing investigation materials.
Mansurov is accused of organizing unlawful campaign contributions to support Adams’ political ambitions.
Prosecutors claim that, in return for this support, the mayor held an event with Uzbek leaders at City Hall, organized a flag-raising ceremony for Uzbekistan at Bowling Green Park, and intervened in a dispute between Mansurov and the NYC Department of Buildings in the businessman’s favor.
Investigators suggest that Mansurov’s alleged mission – exerting influence on behalf of a foreign government through the city’s mayor – mirrors other covert fundraising practices that Adams has been accused of over the years.
Prosecutors believe the goal was to use Adams’ public image to improve Uzbekistan’s international reputation.
Adams' dealings with Turkish diaspora members – suspected of representing Ankara’s interests – are under similar scrutiny.
According to court documents, prosecutors regard Mansurov as linked to the government of Uzbekistan and working to influence Adams on matters concerning Uzbekistan and Central Asia. During the time he was soliciting campaign donations, he reportedly maintained regular contact with Uzbekistan’s mission to the United Nations.
The documents also allege that Mansurov was involved in a complex money-laundering scheme that routed funds from a company based in Cyprus, which he used to purchase real estate in Brooklyn. Mansurov reportedly holds both U.S. and Uzbek citizenship.
When contacted by The City, the businessman declined to comment, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m not available right now,” before hanging up.
No formal charges have been filed against Mansurov. He has agreed to cooperate with authorities. In discussions with investigators, he denied the money-laundering allegations but admitted to raising tens of thousands of dollars for Adams on three occasions – sometimes reimbursing donors, effectively circumventing campaign finance laws.
