New York City’s public housing residents deserve a City Hall that serves the public, not personal interests. That’s the core issue raised by a newly unsealed federal indictment in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) charging Anthony Herbert, the former Citywide Public Housing Liaison at the New York City Mayor’s Office, with bribery, kickback, and fraud offenses.
Federal officials say Herbert worked for the Office of the New York City Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (“Community Affairs”) from in or about February 2022 through in or about September 2025. In that period, he first served as the Brooklyn Borough Director for Community Affairs from in or about February 2022 through in or about February 2023, and then served as the Citywide Public Housing Liaison until in or about September 2025. In that latter role, he was responsible for engaging with residents and leadership of the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) on behalf of City Hall.
Herbert was arrested and is expected to be presented before a U.S. magistrate judge, and the case is assigned to a U.S. district judge, according to the announcement.
It’s crucial to separate allegations from proof. The press release states, “The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
What Federal And City Investigators Allege
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton presented the case as an abuse of public trust connected to Herbert’s role as City Hall’s liaison to public housing residents.
“New Yorkers deserve honest and competent public officials,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “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.”
IRS Criminal Investigation said the alleged conduct turned a government role into a personal money-making operation.
“It’s alleged Anthony Herbert used his position in the NYC Mayor’s Office to create a side hustle of bribery and fraud,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. “He allegedly took advantage of his role to line his pockets by offering unfair advantages to certain businesses. Today’s indictment is the result of the incredible partnership between IRS-CI special agents and SDNY investigators, and now Herbert will face justice for his alleged criminal acts.”
NYC’s Department of Investigation described what it says the indictment claims, including alleged dollar amounts and alleged actions involving City contracts and publicly funded payments.
“This former Mayor’s Office official was responsible for engaging with members of the community on behalf of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, first as the Brooklyn Borough Director and then as the liaison between residents and leadership of public housing, and City Hall,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “He allegedly exploited this position of trust and influence to enrich himself, accepting $16,000 in bribes and kickbacks in return for favors, including pressuring other government officials to give City contracts to one company, and steering publicly-funded financial assistance payments to a second business, according to the indictment. As charged, he allegedly filed false financial disclosures with the City omitting the payments he received to conceal his criminal conduct. I thank the IRS and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their partnership on this investigation and for their commitment to hold accountable City employees who abuse their position for their own gain.”
Alleged Pay-To-Play Scheme Involving City Contracts And NYCHA
According to the press release, prosecutors describe one alleged scheme involving a particular individual referred to as the “Security Company Executive.” They allege Herbert solicited and received thousands of dollars in cash payments in exchange for advising and pressuring other City officials to award City contracts to the security guard company, including contracts for services at NYCHA developments.
Alleged Kickback Scheme Tied To Funeral Assistance Payments
Prosecutors also describe a second alleged scheme involving a director of a funeral home referred to as the “Funeral Home Director.” According to the announcement, Herbert allegedly advised, pressured, and fraudulently induced other City officials to approve payments under a financial assistance program for burial services for low-income families. In exchange, prosecutors allege he received thousands of dollars in kickbacks from the proceeds of those reimbursement payments.
Separate Allegation: PPP Loan Application For A Fictitious Company
The press release also alleges that in or about April 2021, Herbert submitted a fraudulent loan application—on behalf of a fictitious baked goods company he claimed to operate—to induce a bank to issue him a $20,418 loan pursuant to the federal Paycheck Protection Program established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What The Indictment Charges And What Comes Next
Herbert, 61, of Brooklyn, is charged with two counts of bribery, one count of honest services wire fraud, one count of federal program fraud, one count of extortion under color of official right, and one count of wire fraud. The press release lists statutory maximum penalties for each charge and notes that the statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and provided for informational purposes only, as any sentencing will be determined by the judge.
Why This Case Matters For NYC Government Trust
The allegations outlined by investigators focus on whether a public position was used to deliver favors in exchange for private payments. If government decision-making is influenced by bribes or kickbacks, it can erode trust among residents who expect City contracts and public assistance programs to be handled fairly.
At the same time, the justice system requires proof in court, not assumptions. The press release is explicit about the legal standard: “The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
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