Overview
- He was arrested and arraigned Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $50,000 recognizance bond with a Jan. 30 court date.
- The indictment alleges he took $11,000 from a security company executive to push NYCHA security contracts and accepted $5,000 from a funeral home director tied to city burial assistance.
- Prosecutors say he abused roles in the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit and as citywide public housing liaison from 2022 to 2025, facing counts that include bribery, honest-services wire fraud, extortion, federal program fraud and wire fraud.
- Separate allegations accuse him of obtaining about $20,000 through a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan for a purported baked goods business in 2021.
- Evidence detailed by SDNY includes recorded conversations, texts and emails gathered by a cooperating security firm owner, with one quote attributed to Herbert stating, “This is what we do, bro.”