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Adams's Chief of Staff Charged with Bribery

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, February 4th 2026 at 6:54 GMT by WTOP News
      Locales: New York, UNITED STATES

New York, NY - February 4th, 2026 - The legal challenges facing former New York City Mayor Eric Adams are deepening dramatically. Derek Redmond, a close confidant who served as Adams's chief of staff and top fundraiser, was formally charged with bribery Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the city's political landscape. The charges stem from allegations of a quid pro quo arrangement with real estate developer William Pape and his company, BRP Properties, concerning a Brooklyn development project.

The indictment details a scheme in which Redmond allegedly accepted "tens of thousands of dollars" from Pape in exchange for leveraging his position within the Adams administration to expedite and secure favorable approvals for a project in Brooklyn. Redmond appeared in Brooklyn federal court Tuesday morning, was arraigned, and released on a $250,000 bond. His legal counsel has currently declined to issue any statements. The specifics of the approvals sought by BRP Properties remain under seal, but sources close to the investigation suggest they involved zoning variances and expedited permitting processes.

This isn't an isolated incident. Redmond's indictment arrives amidst an ongoing federal investigation into Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign, focusing on potential illegal foreign funding. The U.S. Attorney's office is meticulously examining whether the campaign received illicit contributions from sources in Turkey. While Adams maintains his innocence and asserts full cooperation with investigators, the timing of Redmond's charges significantly intensifies the pressure and casts a longer shadow over the former mayor's conduct in office.

The Pape Connection: A Closer Look at BRP Properties

William Pape's BRP Properties is a prominent real estate firm with a substantial portfolio of residential and commercial developments across New York City. The Brooklyn project at the center of the alleged bribery scheme is a mixed-use development valued at an estimated $150 million. Sources indicate the project was facing significant hurdles with city planning and community board approval before Redmond allegedly intervened. Investigators are now focusing on whether other projects undertaken by BRP Properties benefitted from similar alleged interventions.

Experts in campaign finance and ethics law suggest that even if Adams isn't directly implicated in accepting bribes, the actions of his chief of staff could have significant legal repercussions. "The chief of staff acts as an extension of the mayor," explains Professor Eleanor Vance, a specialist in political ethics at Columbia University. "If Redmond was actively soliciting and receiving bribes on behalf of, or with the knowledge of, someone higher up, it creates a very serious problem. The legal standard is often whether the official intended to benefit from the arrangement, not necessarily whether they directly received the funds."

Broader Implications for New York City Politics

The unfolding scandal is reigniting debates about the influence of money in New York City politics and the need for stricter regulations on lobbying and campaign finance. Critics argue that the current system allows wealthy developers and special interests to wield undue influence over city government decisions. Several advocacy groups are calling for a complete overhaul of the city's lobbying laws and increased transparency in campaign contributions.

"This case underscores the systemic problems within our political system," says Sarah Chen, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsible Government. "We need to create a system where decisions are made in the public interest, not based on who can afford to donate the most money."

The investigation is expected to expand, potentially involving subpoenas for additional city officials and developers. The U.S. Attorney's office has remained tight-lipped about the scope of the probe, but sources suggest they are building a case for potential conspiracy charges. The Department of Investigation is also conducting a parallel inquiry, focusing on internal controls within the Adams administration.

As the legal drama unfolds, the future remains uncertain for both Redmond and Adams. The implications of this case could reverberate throughout New York City politics for years to come, further eroding public trust and demanding a critical reevaluation of the city's governance structures.