Federal prosecutors say a former New York City mayoral staffer who was fired after calling Charlie Kirk’s assassination “karma” has now been indicted on allegations he ran multiple corruption and fraud schemes that netted him roughly $36,000.
Tony Herbert, 61, of Brooklyn — a onetime member of the Eric Adams administration — was arrested Tuesday morning in Manhattan, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Prosecutors allege Herbert pocketed about $16,000 through two separate bribery schemes while working in City Hall, and separately obtained about $20,000 through a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application before he joined the mayor’s office.
Officials said that from 2022 through 2025, Herbert “repeatedly and flagrantly” abused his role as a city official by soliciting and accepting cash in two pay-to-play arrangements.
Alleged NYCHA contract scheme
In the first alleged scheme, prosecutors say Herbert accepted cash payments to help a security firm pursue municipal contracts with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). In exchange, Herbert allegedly agreed to advise and pressure other city officials to award the contracts, which included providing security services at NYCHA developments.
“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,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said.
Alleged funeral-home kickback scheme
In the second alleged scheme, prosecutors say Herbert pushed city officials to approve payments to a funeral home director under a financial assistance program intended to cover burial services for low-income families. In return for steering those payments, Herbert allegedly received “thousands of dollars in kickbacks” from the funeral home director.
“It’s alleged Anthony Herbert used his position in the NYC Mayor’s Office to create a side hustle of bribery and fraud,” IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. said. “He allegedly took advantage of his role to line his pockets by offering unfair advantages to certain businesses.”
Alleged PPP fraud before City Hall
Authorities also allege that in 2021, before he joined the mayor’s office, Herbert submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application using a fictitious baked goods company to secure $20,418.
Charges and potential penalties
Herbert is charged with six federal counts, including two counts of bribery, and single counts of honest services wire fraud, federal program fraud, extortion, and wire fraud. Prosecutors said each count carries a maximum prison term ranging from 10 to 20 years, depending on the charge.
Past firing tied to social media remarks
Herbert was fired from his City Hall post last year after making controversial remarks online about the killing of Charlie Kirk.
According to authorities, Herbert posted on Facebook, “You hit the nail right on the head or should I say racist!!” He later shared a video defending the comment, saying he did not regret it and adding, “Unfortunately, karma has come to collect.” Both the post and the video were later removed.
