Deal behind the flag: Who is the Uzbek businessman tied to New York Mayor?

Federal agents from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have uncovered communications between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and an Uzbek businessman, revealing a controversial arrangement in which Adams allegedly received support in exchange for promoting Uzbekistan's image. The findings are part of an ongoing investigation disclosed by "The City".

The businessman, Tolib Mansurov—described as having close ties to the Uzbek government—allegedly attempted to channel illicit funds into Adams’ mayoral campaign in an effort to gain political favor.

The leaked documents stated, "Adams reciprocated by hosting an event for Uzbek community leaders at City Hall, organizing an Uzbek flag-raising ceremony, and intervening in a dispute between Mansurov and the city’s building department."

Mansurov’s influence and ties

The aim of the arrangement, according to investigators, was to enhance Uzbekistan’s international standing using the influence of the New York mayor’s office.

The dropped indictment, filed earlier by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, stated that “Mansurov had connections to the Uzbek government and attempted to influence Adams on behalf of Uzbek and Central Asian citizens.”

While raising funds for Adams, Mansurov reportedly maintained regular contact with the Uzbek mission to the United Nations. The investigation further alleges that he used a foreign shell entity based in Cyprus to launder money, securing millions of dollars in Brooklyn real estate assets. Mansurov holds dual citizenship in Uzbekistan and the United States.

Though he has not been formally charged, Mansurov has agreed to cooperate with authorities. In conversations with prosecutors, he denied any involvement in money laundering but admitted to raising tens of thousands of dollars for Adams’ campaign. In one instance, Adams allegedly asked him for an additional donation, reportedly telling Mansurov, “You’re always my most trusted person.”

International connections: Turkey, China, Uzbekistan

The case against Adams first emerged in late 2023, when federal prosecutors in Manhattan investigated potential unlawful dealings between the mayor and Turkish officials. These included travel expenses and political sponsorships allegedly paid by the Turkish government.

Investigators say Adams intervened in a fire safety issue involving the Turkish consulate’s office and distanced himself from a local anti-Erdogan community center at the request of Turkish officials. He also refrained from issuing a statement on the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a sensitive topic for Turkey.

The Chinese community also played a role. FBI agents reported that Adams received substantial fundraising support from Chinese diaspora leaders. In 2023, the FBI raided the home of Vinny Greco, Adams’ liaison to the Asian diaspora, who had organized events with Chinese Consul General San Gosian.

Raising the flag

"Mansurov’s relationship with the Uzbek government became public earlier this month with the release of court documents. Described as a prominent member of the Uzbek diaspora in New York, Mansurov was said to maintain strong ties to the government in Tashkent," reports said.

FBI records indicate that he was in frequent contact with Adams’ inner circle. In 2023 alone, he reportedly made 55 calls to Fred Kreutzmann, the city’s Commissioner for Public Works.

On September 2, 2023, Adams held a flag-raising ceremony in Bowling Green, Brooklyn, celebrating Uzbekistan’s Independence Day. It marked the first time the Uzbek flag had been raised in the city.

“Happy Independence Day, Uzbekistan! Mayor Eric Adams raised our flag on Wall Street for the first time! This is a proud moment for Uzbeks in New York,” Mansurov wrote at the time.

Adams “helped”

According to prosecutors, Tolib Mansurov allegedly received millions of dollars in foreign funds, and operated two companies based in Brooklyn. In February 2024, he purchased an apartment building through one of these firms for \$13.5 million. The investigation found that \$11.7 million of that amount was transferred to his account in January 2020 by a company registered in Cyprus. Authorities are treating the transaction as part of a suspected money laundering scheme.

The fundraising for Eric Adams’ mayoral campaign reportedly began in December 2020. At the time, Adams, still a candidate, sought assistance from campaign volunteer Muhammad Bahi Mansurov, who asked Tolib Mansurov to raise \$10,000. Due to restrictions on large direct contributions, Mansurov allegedly circumvented the rules by using four employees of his company, United Elite Group. Each donated \$2,000 and was then repaid in cash, investigators claim.

In June 2023, Adams reached out directly to Mansurov, requesting more financial support for his 2025 campaign. Prosecutors allege that Mansurov responded by organizing ten \$1,000 donations.

In one exchange, Mansurov recommended that he and Adams communicate through Signal, a messaging app that deletes messages automatically. Adams agreed, replying, “Okay.”

After the FBI seized Adams’ phones in May 2024, the mayor reportedly contacted Mansurov using a new device. “I need a lot of help,” Adams wrote.

At the time, Adams was trying to secure 1,000 small donations of \$250 each in order to qualify for state funding. It remains unclear whether Mansurov fulfilled this request. However, that same month, his company’s chief financial officer, Oybek Shokirov, made a \$250 donation.

Later, Mansurov turned to Adams for assistance with a personal issue. He was involved in a dispute with the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) concerning a condominium construction project in Brooklyn.

“I am under great pressure. You could not protect me from the DOB,” he wrote to an unidentified recipient.

On February 5, 2023, Mansurov contacted Adams directly: “I need help. I have never asked you or anyone else for help. Only you can help.”

Adams reportedly replied, “I will solve this case.”

One week later, the DOB lifted the restriction. On February 14, Mansurov wrote to Adams, 

“Thank you for your help. The problem is partially solved. I will always support you.”

The key messages released by federal investigators suggest an ongoing backchannel between the mayor and the businessman. In September 2024, Adams was formally indicted.

Earlier this year, prosecutors revealed that Muhammad Bahi Mansurov had agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges related to the false donation scheme. However, the U.S. Department of Justice—under the Trump administration—later moved to dismiss the charges against Adams. Prosecutors argued that the case was being politically manipulated, given Adams’ opposition to President Trump’s immigration policies. The trial’s outcome could have affected Adams’ re-election campaign. The New York mayoral election is scheduled for November 2025.

To date, Bahi Mansurov has not formally entered a guilty plea.

In April, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York officially dismissed the corruption case against Adams. Judge Dale Ho ruled that the case could not be reopened, citing a lack of authority to compel prosecutors to proceed.