A Brooklyn developer accused of funneling illegal contributions to Eric Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign was constructing a stalled 56-unit condominium building in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and a commercial tower in East Flatbush at the time prosecutors say he texted Adams asking for help lifting a stop-work order, the Gothamist reported.
The developer, listed as “Businessman-4” in the federal indictment against Adams that was unsealed last Thursday, told Adams he was facing safety concerns from the Department of Buildings that were slowing down a project, prosecutors said in the charging document.
Gothamist identified “Businessman-4” as Tolib Mansurov, a construction company owner and leader of New York's Uzbek community, by comparing city campaign finance records with the indictment’s description of the unnamed businessman’s contributions.
Prosecutors allege Mansurov gave Adams' campaign $10,000 in a straw-donor scheme involving himself and four of his employees. They say Mansurov reminded Adams of that financial support when he directly contacted the mayor on Feb. 5, 2023, asking for help in lifting restrictions that the buildings department had placed on work being done by Mansurov’s company, United Elite Group, the news agency said.
"I always supported you," Mansurov texted Adams, according to the indictment. “Having a hard time with DOB … we reached a certain limit that only you can lift.”
The mayor is currently facing five criminal counts of bribery, fraud and campaign finance violations for allegedly trading favors for cut-rate business-class airfare, luxury hotel stays and illegal campaign donations.
The mayor has denied any wrongdoing and has repeated that he will not resign.
