Former top aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Frank Carone, was arrested Wednesday as part of a broad corruption investigation that also involved searches at the homes of multiple former NYPD officials. The action stems from allegations of bribery linked to contracts for migrant shelter operations.
Carone, 56, who served as Adams’ chief of staff in 2022, was taken into custody following a 13-count indictment. Authorities allege that Carone accepted $120,000 in bribes, funneled through a law firm managed by his brother, Anthony Carone, 54. The payments, made in twelve monthly installments of $10,000 each, came from Yan Po “Andy” Zhu, owner of the Microtel Inn by Wyndham in Long Island City, and Zhu’s business manager, Crystal Chen.
According to court filings, Carone helped facilitate a $6.825 million contract for Microtel to operate a one-year migrant shelter. Initially, the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) had rejected the hotel’s bid, citing factors such as the presence of other nearby shelter hotels and the relatively small size of the Microtel property, which contained 75 rooms—about half the size typically contracted by the city. Additionally, DSS reportedly wanted to avoid opening another facility in the area amid opposition from residents and local officials.
The indictment alleges that Zhu cultivated a personal relationship with Carone, who was invited to Zhu’s home multiple times to discuss securing the contract. Starting in mid-June 2022, Carone purportedly used his official position to advocate on behalf of Microtel. The contract was ultimately approved in November 2022 after Carone repeatedly urged the DSS commissioner to intervene, prompting the agency to reverse its prior rejections.
Separately, the investigation has also targeted several former NYPD officials. The FBI seized a phone belonging to former Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey, while phones were also seized from Assistant Chief James McCarthy and former NYPD spokesperson Tarik Sheppard. These actions are part of an internal NYPD affairs probe, although the specific allegations remain unclear at this time. The NYPD has placed McCarthy on modified duty pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Federal and city authorities conducted searches of multiple residences, including those of Carone and the former police officials, as part of their ongoing efforts to uncover potential corruption within city government and police ranks.
Neither Carone nor his representatives have commented publicly on the charges. Zhu and Chen are identified in the indictment as Chinese nationals residing in Nassau County, and the investigation remains active as authorities continue to review potential misconduct connected to city contracts and public agencies.