Bribery Indictment Involving Former Adviser to Mayor
Frank Carone, who previously served as a key adviser to former Mayor Eric Adams, has been photographed several times outside the extravagant Long Island residence of a hotel operator. It’s alleged that Carone paid this hotelier $120,000 in bribes.
At 56 years old, Carone was spotted twice near the Glen Head home of Yang Po “Andy” Zhu, who is accused of being involved in the alleged conspiracy. Zhu’s mansion boasts intricate stonework and a large pool, giving it a resort-like feel.
Carone was also seen with Zhu in the latter’s expansive basement, which was filled with hundreds of wine bottles.
The photographs are part of a 13-count indictment against Carone, Zhu, and two others that was made public recently. The indictment claims that Zhu leveraged his growing friendship with Carone to secure a costly contract for his hotel in Queens, which was designated as a temporary shelter for migrants in 2022.
Zhu, 51, took over Carone’s position on June 3, 2022, and again on August 13 of that year, according to court records.
Just three days after Carone’s initial visit, Zhu texted him, seeking help from the city’s Department of Social Services (DSS) which had previously turned down Zhu’s request for an emergency shelter contract for the Long Island City Microtel, as noted in the court documents.
A month after Carone’s second visit, Zhu contacted him again, asking for intervention to finalize a multi-million dollar deal with the hotel.
It’s alleged that Carone repeatedly urged DSS officials to authorize Microtel’s program, eventually receiving approval in November after Zhu began paying Carone $10,000 monthly, according to filings in court.
The Microtel ultimately received a $6.825 million, one-year contract to convert the facility into a temporary shelter as part of efforts to manage the migrant crisis.
Carone’s younger brother, Anthony, has also been arrested on suspicion of facilitating bribes. Court documents indicate that he acted as an intermediary, with payments allegedly made through Anthony’s law firm account before transferring funds to Frank Carone.
Zhu’s business manager, Crystal Chen, aged 39, is also facing charges for her role in orchestrating the bribe payments.
Previously, DSS had denied Zhu access to the hotel, citing concerns about too many existing shelters in the area and pushback from local residents against nearby temporary shelters.
Documents reveal that Microtel was smaller than the typical hotels used for shelters, further complicating its suitability for the city’s needs.
According to the indictment, a total of $120,000 was funneled to Carone over the course of a year, which he reportedly used to cover his American Express credit card bills.
All accused individuals pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in federal court in Brooklyn, facing charges including conspiracy, bribery, and obstruction of justice. If convicted, they could receive sentences of up to 20 years.
Defending Carone, his lawyers described the allegations as “completely misplaced,” asserting that he served New York City honorably and played no role in the allegations surrounding the temporary immigrant shelters.
“A speedy trial is crucial,” they stated, expressing confidence that the facts would ultimately clear Frank Carone’s name.
