NEW YORK (AP) — A former police officer who prosecutors say was the ringleader of a marketing campaign donations scheme to assist New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams throughout his successful 2021 run was sentenced Tuesday, authorities mentioned.
Dwyane Montgomery was ordered to carry out 200 hours of group service and was prohibited from internet hosting political fundraisers or soliciting contributions on behalf of any marketing campaign for a 12 months throughout his sentencing, Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg’s workplace confirmed in an e mail.
The 64-year-old former NYPD deputy inspector agreed to the sentence when he pleaded responsible to a misdemeanor conspiracy cost in February. Montgomery was amongst six individuals charged with conspiracy, tried grand larceny and making false statements in relation to the marketing campaign donations plot.
The indictment, introduced by Bragg’s workplace final July, didn’t implicate Adams, however as an alternative spelled out a straw donor plot by individuals who hoped to maximise their donations in alternate for political favors at Metropolis Corridor.
The Related Press left e mail messages searching for remark with Dwayne Montgomery’s lawyer and spokespersons for Adams late Tuesday.
Prosecutors say that between 2020 and 2021, Montgomery orchestrated greater than two dozen straw donations by encouraging mates and family members to benefit from town’s beneficiant matching funds system, which gives an 8-to-1 match for the primary $250 donated by a metropolis resident. Montgomery additionally helped manage fundraisers for Adams.
Adams, a former NYPD captain, has acknowledged he knew Montgomery from their time on the police power however has denied that his marketing campaign had any information of the scheme.
The Democratic mayor and his internal circle have confronted elevated legislation enforcement scrutiny in latest months.
Adams had his cellphones and iPad seized by federal brokers in November as a part of a separate probe centered not less than partially on whether or not his marketing campaign conspired with the Turkish authorities to obtain unlawful marketing campaign contributions from international sources.
And not less than three of the mayor’s aides, together with his prime marketing campaign fundraiser, have additionally had their properties raided by federal brokers.
All through, Adams has persistently deflected questions in regards to the investigations whereas stressing that he has not formally been accused of wrongdoing.
