FBI Confiscates New York City Mayor Eric Adams' Phones Amid Federal Probe into Fundraising
FBI seizes NYC Mayor Eric Adams' phones in federal probe into campaign fundraising, focusing on foreign contributions
According to a source familiar with the situation, FBI agents confiscated the cell phones and an iPad of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. This seizure was conducted as part of a federal investigation into his campaign fundraising activities. The agents carried out this action earlier this week after obtaining a search warrant authorized by the court.
The seizure is a significant escalation of the federal investigation into potential foreign campaign financing, directly implicating the mayor, a Democrat. The FBI and the US attorneys office for the Southern District of New York are handling the investigation. While Adams has not faced any allegations of wrongdoing thus far, he joins a growing list of politicians under scrutiny for their connections to foreign governments, particularly in his case with Turkey.
This seizure occurred shortly after the FBI conducted a raid on the home of Adams' key fundraiser. The raid was conducted as part of the investigation to determine whether the mayor's 2021 campaign collaborated with a construction company based in Brooklyn to funnel foreign funds into their campaign coffers.
The New York Times first reported the seizure of Adams electronic devices.
New York Mayor Eric Adams attends a press conference on gun violence prevention and public safety on July 31, 2023 in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/File
The FBI is currently investigating the fundraiser of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, with a focus on illicit contributions made by individuals from foreign countries. Mayor Adams, speaking to CNN, expressed his expectation for his staff to abide by the law and provide complete cooperation during the investigation, reassuring that he has no hidden motives.
Mayor Adams' campaign attorney and spokesperson, Boyd Johnson, informed CNN that the mayor promptly adhered to the FBI's request and submitted electronic devices after being approached by the agency following a Monday night event.
"In light of the federal investigation, we uncovered a recent incident of misconduct by an individual. Demonstrating our commitment to transparency and collaboration, we immediately and willingly shared this information with the investigators," stated Johnson.
"The mayor remains unaccused of any wrongdoing and is actively cooperating with the investigation," he specified.
In order to acquire a search warrant, prosecutors must persuade a judge that they possess sufficient evidence of a crime on the electronic devices.
The US attorneys office and the FBI declined to comment.
Probe centers on foreign campaign contributions
On November 2, FBI teams carried out multiple search warrants at residences and businesses across the New York region, including one at the residence of Adams campaign's chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, as revealed by sources from law enforcement. These officials, who are acquainted with the search warrants issued last week, informed CNN that the investigators are in pursuit of evidence suggesting that foreign individuals, who are prohibited from making contributions, may have orchestrated "bundled" donations. This would involve approaching US citizens of Turkish descent within the Turkish American communities in New York to serve as "straw contributors."
The purported scheme would have enabled funds originating from foreign business entities to be disguised as contributions from American citizens who did not genuinely provide the funds.
According to WCBS, Adams praised Suggs last week, stating that he is a highly skilled individual.
The mayor has emphasized his connections to the Turkish American community in the city and mentioned during a flag-raising event in Lower Manhattan that he has made multiple visits to the country, estimated to be around six or seven times.
Adams, in his role as Brooklyn Borough president, visited Turkey on at least two occasions. One of these trips took place in August 2015, which was sponsored by the Turkish Consulate. During this visit, Adams signed a sister city agreement with Istanbul's Üsküdar district.
The US attorneys office also recently charged Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, with corruption-related crimes. They claim that he accepted bribes in return for supporting the Egyptian government. Menendez, however, maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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CNNs John Miller, Paul P. Murphy and Jeff Winter contributed to this report.
