Rana Abbasova fired and Winnie Greco resigns – Telemundo New York (47)

NEW YORK – Rana Abbasova, an employee of Eric Adams who prosecutors say coordinated fraudulent donations and luxury travel upgrades to the mayor and his campaign, has been fired each other, a source familiar with the matter confirmed. Abbasova had been on leave from her post while she was believed to be cooperating with federal prosecutors in Manhattan as a key witness in their investigation.

Abbasova had worked as Director of Protocol in the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs.

The source also said that Winnie Greco, the Mayor’s Director of Asian Affairs, whose home was previously raided by the FBI, resigned on Monday. In addition, Mohamed Bahi, who worked in the Community Affairs Unit of the Mayor, resigned, according to the source, who did not explain the reasons for his departure.

The changes mark the most recent examples of appointments or changes in the Adams administration. This is as the Governor of New York Kathy Hochul applies pressure to ensure that services continue to work efficiently.

News of Abbasova’s firing also comes shortly after prosecutors turned over new evidence to Adams’ defense attorneys. Adams’ defense team said the Justice Department on Friday turned over evidence they say could discredit Abbasova.

Longtime team member Eric Adams is accused of coordinating fraudulent donations and luxury travel upgrades, according to the federal indictment.

Defense attorney Alex Spiro told NBC New York that the evidence released is known as “Brady material,” information favorable to a defendant’s case that prosecutors are constitutionally required to disclose, which ‘introducing evidence which may call into question the credibility of a witness.

Citing a protective order issued by the judge, members of the mayor’s team declined to discuss specific details about the testimony, which they said was sent to Spiro in an email Friday afternoon. by Assistant US Attorney Celia Cohen.

But sources close to Mayor Adams said the material would further support the defense’s argument that Abbasova had initially said Mayor Adams was unaware of any wrongdoing and that he had made up his story. change more than once.

In the days since Mayor Adams was indicted Sept. 27 on bribery and fraud charges, Spiro has tried to defend prosecutors. He filed a motion to dismiss the case, alleging improper leaks and accusing the Justice Department of ignoring evidence in its possession that Abbasova had lied. – again.

On Sunday, after prosecutors turned over Brady’s substantial evidence, Spiro told NBC New York in a statement:

“These prosecutors have finally admitted, after much delay and confusion, that they were withholding material from Brady about the key witness in the case that proves that Mayor Adams or -guilty.”

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office did not immediately respond to NBC New York’s request for comment.

Reached by phone, Rana Abbasova’s defense attorney, Rachel Maimin, declined to comment.

“It should be noted that this email exchange occurred and that the government was advising Mayor Adams’ attorney on exculpatory evidence,” said Brad Simon, a former criminal defense attorney. a federal prosecutor. But Simon said that such disclosure is normal, and that presenting it as breaking news was like “a typical defense lawyer’s view”.

Adams’ team presented no evidence to support Spiro’s claim that prosecutors “admittedly withheld material from Brady.

NBC New York reviewed a redacted email exchange dated Oct. 4 that omits material shared by prosecutors and shows defense attorney Alex responded Spiro by saying “Celia, thank you. Is that the only Brady information the police have about this evidence? “

Several legal experts consulted by NBC New York said the mayor’s lawyer suggesting prosecutors were hiding evidence may not be a successful legal strategy, because prosecutors revealed this evidence relatively quickly, a week after the mayor was indicted.

“Prosecutors have to deliver specific evidence in a timely manner,” said Professor Rebecca Roiphe, a former Manhattan district attorney who teaches professional ethics at New York Law School. the timing of disclosure in this case is completely appropriate and there is no reason to think that prosecutors were hiding anything.”

MSNBC legal correspondent Lisa Rubin explained that it would have been impossible to turn over the discovery materials sooner, as federal prosecutors typically wait until the court issues a protective order. will place limits on who can view and publish these materials.

“Especially since the judge signed that order last Friday, the defense’s complaint that prosecutors were hiding the ball is unlikely to go to court,” Rubin said.

Early in the investigation, City Hall said it was the Adams administration that alerted authorities to Abbasova’s wrongdoing after learning she was asking her colleagues to delete communications.

Abbasova, a former Adams aide who was most recently the city’s Director of Protocol for International Affairs, has not been charged with a crime and is a cooperating witness, according to sources familiar with the matter. the case. Those sources say Abbasova is the so-called “mayor’s employee” in the 57-page lawsuit, who says she helped organize donations for years. illegal “front” foreigner for the Adams campaign, as well as upgrades and discounts on luxuries. travel for Adams, his family and his associates.

Some legal experts say Spiro’s argument that prosecutors wanted to hide any credibility issues with Abbasova is undermined by the accusation itself.

The suit alleges that Abbasova “agreed to speak with FBI agents and deny herself and Adams’ criminal conduct” before going to the bathroom and deleting encrypted apps that were used to communicate with Adams.

Prosecutors suggest that Abbasova lied when she said the mayor did not know about the irregularity. Spiro insists that Abbasova’s “main lie” was that Eric Adams knew about it.

“In almost every case, there will be evidence that is helpful to the accused,” said Professor Roiphe. “But the fact that a cooperating witness initially lied to investigators is less damaging to the prosecution because jurors understand that some witnesses must be convinced to tell the truth.”