Article Title: Former NYPD Officer Sentenced to Community Service in Campaign Scheme to Aid NYC Mayor
A former NYPD deputy inspector, Dwayne Montgomery, found himself in the spotlight as he was sentenced to 200 hours of community service for his involvement in a campaign donations scheme aimed at supporting New York City Mayor Eric Adams during his successful 2021 mayoral bid. The sentencing, delivered on Tuesday, also included a prohibition on hosting political fundraisers or soliciting contributions for any campaign for a year.
Montgomery, 64, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor conspiracy charge in February, part of a group of six individuals charged with conspiracy, attempted grand larceny, and making false statements in connection to the scheme. The indictment, unveiled by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office last July, detailed a plot to utilize straw donors in order to maximize donations to Adams’ campaign, allegedly in exchange for political favors at City Hall.
While the indictment did not implicate Mayor Adams directly, it underscored the efforts of individuals, including Montgomery, to orchestrate numerous straw donations, exploiting the city’s matching funds system. This system provides an 8-to-1 match for the first $250 donated by a city resident. Montgomery was also involved in organizing fundraisers for Adams, who has acknowledged knowing Montgomery from their shared time in the NYPD but has denied any knowledge of the scheme.
The sentencing comes amidst heightened law enforcement scrutiny surrounding Mayor Adams and his inner circle. In a separate federal probe, Adams had his electronic devices seized in November, raising questions about possible illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources, allegedly involving collusion with the Turkish government. Several aides of the mayor, including his top campaign fundraiser, have also been subject to federal raids.
Throughout the investigations, Mayor Adams has maintained his innocence, deflecting questions and emphasizing that he has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing. The sentencing of Dwayne Montgomery marks another chapter in the unfolding saga surrounding political campaign ethics and the legal scrutiny faced by elected officials and their associates.
