The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized the communications devices of New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) as part of its ongoing probe into alleged illegal fundraising and foreign influence. The news comes about a week after the public launch of a wider investigation surrounding the mayor’s last campaign.
The news broke Friday afternoon that the FBI had retrieved at least two cellular phones and an iPad as part of its ongoing probe.
The search reportedly occurred after the issuing of a warrant.
Law enforcement is reportedly seeking answers regarding Adams’ campaign’s ties to the government of the Republic of Turkey.
An attorney for the mayor’s campaign said that it had learned that an “individual had recently acted improperly. In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behavior was immediately and proactively reported to investigators.”
The attorney said that the FBI approached the mayor earlier in the week and that Adams “immediately complied with the FBI’s request and provided them with electronic devices.”
The lawyer further asserted that Adams had not been “accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the investigation.”
🚨 BREAKING: The FBI has seized NY Mayor Eric Adams’ electronic devices in their federal corruption investigation into his campaign
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 10, 2023
Adams said that he expected “all members” of his staff to “follow the law and fully cooperate with any sort of investigation.” He added that he had “nothing to hide.”
Last week, FBI agents raided the home of his fundraiser, Brianna Suggs on suspicion that Adams’ successful 2021 campaign received money from the Turkish government via a Brooklyn construction company.
Despite the raid, Suggs had not been charged with a crime.
News of the initial raid occurred as the mayor was about to discuss the ongoing migrant crisis at the White House.
Following the raid, Adams called his fundraiser a “real professional.”
Agents could be seen leaving Suggs’ house carrying boxes of unknown contents. The search warrant stated that law enforcement was seizing the fundraiser’s financial records, documents related to the mayoral campaign and information regarding potential ties to Turkey.
Similar to the seizure of the mayor’s devices, the warrant sought electronic devices used by Suggs.
