A deepening political scandal involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams has taken a new turn as an investigation uncovers links between one of his alleged “straw donors” and a billionaire Uzbek energy tycoon with extensive past connections to Russia’s state-run financial and energy institutions. This revelation sheds further light on the intricate web of foreign influence that may have played a role in Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign, now the subject of intense legal and political scrutiny.

At the heart of the case is Tolib Mansurov, a prominent Uzbek national and luxury real estate developer in New York City, who has been identified as one of the alleged straw donors in the criminal case against Adams. Mansurov owns two New York State-registered companies with millions of dollars in Brooklyn real estate holdings. However, a closer examination of his business ties reveals that his property firms were, until 2020, majority-owned by a Cyprus-registered entity with direct links to the Uzbek energy and construction tycoon Bakhtiyor Fazilov.

Fazilov, an influential figure in Uzbekistan’s energy sector, has a history of significant business dealings with Russian companies, including entities once controlled by the Kremlin. This new finding has intensified scrutiny over Adams’ campaign finances and raised concerns over the broader implications of foreign influence in local US politics.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Justice Department, under the Trump administration, ordered federal prosecutors to drop all charges against Adams. This decision triggered the resignations of top Justice Department officials in Washington and the acting US attorney in Manhattan. The move came amid a federal grand jury indictment in September, which accused Adams of bribery, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign contributions from straw donors-individuals who illegally funnel money into political campaigns on behalf of foreign entities or anonymous........

© Blitz