A search warrant was executed at the Queens home of Pastor Al Cockfield II, who led a political action committee for Mayor Eric Adams, earlier this month. The probe, conducted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, is investigating Cockfield and his dealings with developer Weihong Hu.
Hu has been accused of deploying Cockfield to press the city Department of Buildings into greenlighting construction work on two Manhattan development sites, despite safety regulations violations and the demolition of affordable housing units. The investigation also looks at the political action committee Cockfield launched ahead of the 2021 general election.
Campaign finance records show that the PAC paid Cockfield $144,000 in wages and consulting fees, raising questions about transfers to state Board of Elections officials. Hu’s family has reimbursed several donors who made contributions to Adams’ mayoral campaign for expenses related to a fundraiser at her Hudson Yards apartment building.
The probe is also examining Hu’s hosting of fundraisers for Adams’ campaigns at her hotel in Queens, where Winnie Greco, Adams’ Asian community liaison, stayed while government-funded rooms were being paid by the city. The investigation has been ongoing since earlier this year and involves multiple federal agencies.
Mayor Adams has defended his relationship with Cockfield, saying there’s no reason to investigate their interactions as long as they follow the law. However, experts have raised concerns about special treatment for Hu’s projects, including a decision that lifted a stop work order despite safety hazards.
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/11/27/al-cockfield-weihong-hu-fbi-raids