Public housing tenants in New York City have a right to expect City Hall to act in their best interests, not personal ones. That’s the central theme of an unsealed indictment from the Southern District of New York charging Anthony Herbert—previously Citywide Public Housing Liaison—with bribery, kickbacks, and fraud.
Prosecutors allege Herbert was with the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit between February 2022 and September 2025, first as Brooklyn Borough Director (Feb 2022–Feb 2023) and later as the citywide liaison for NYCHA residents. His role involved direct engagement with public housing tenants and NYCHA leadership.
Herbert was taken into custody and is expected to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge, with the District Court overseeing the case, according to officials.
The legal principle of innocence until proven guilty remains paramount. As the release notes: “The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
What Authorities Are Alleging
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton characterized the charges as a violation of the trust put in City Hall officials by the public housing community.
“The people of New York deserve principled and diligent leaders,” stated Jay Clayton. “It is alleged that Herbert capitalized on his City Hall role—running pay-for-play schemes for self-enrichment. The SDNY remains dedicated to pursuing officials who betray public trust.”
The IRS’s criminal investigators said Herbert allegedly transformed his city duties into a personal profitability venture.
“Herbert’s position allegedly became a vehicle for bribery and fraud,” said IRS-CI Special Agent Harry T. Chavis, Jr. “He’s accused of leveraging his power to strike questionable deals benefiting businesses that paid him. These charges result from a close partnership between IRS-CI and the SDNY.”
NYC’s Department of Investigation detailed the indictment’s core claims, reporting alleged bribe totals and involvement with city contracts and aid payments.
“As a City Hall official tasked with public outreach, first in Brooklyn and later citywide for housing, Herbert is accused of betraying his role,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber. “As the indictment alleges, he pocketed $16,000 in bribes and kickbacks connected to contract influences and public financial aid payments. He’s also charged with hiding these earnings in false City disclosures. We value our federal partners in rooting out governmental misconduct.”
Alleged Scheme with Security Contracts
A specific allegation involves a “Security Company Executive,” where it’s claimed Herbert accepted cash to urge city officials to award contracts to a security business, some involving public housing sites.
Kickback Allegations Tied to Burial Aid
A second scheme outlined by prosecutors involves a “Funeral Home Director.” Herbert is accused of steering city payments for low-income families’ burial services in return for part of the payments as kickbacks.
Fraudulent PPP Loan Filing
The announcement adds that in April 2021, Herbert allegedly faked a PPP loan application for a non-existent bakery, receiving a $20,418 loan from a COVID-19 relief program.
List of Charges and Criminal Process Ahead
The indictment charges the 61-year-old Brooklyn resident with two bribery counts, honest services fraud, federal program fraud, extortion, and wire fraud. Statutory punishments are described, but actual sentencing depends on the judge’s ruling.
Why Public Trust is at Stake
At issue is the alleged misuse of a public office for private financial deals. Such abuses can undermine the confidence New Yorkers have in how City Hall allocates contracts and public aid.
Still, these are just charges, not convictions. The release reiterates: “The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
