Topline
The FBI seized New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ electronic devices earlier this week, according to multiple outlets, amid an investigation into whether Adams’ mayoral campaign knowingly received illegal donations from Turkish nationals.
Eric Adams — under investigation for alleged illegal campaign donations — said earlier this week he … [+]
Key Facts
Federal agents approached Adams by his SUV on Monday before taking at least two cell phones and an iPad, according to the New York Times, citing two people with knowledge of the incident.
The devices — obtained through a court-authorized warrant — were returned to Adams within a few days, the Times reported.
The Times previously reported — citing a search warrant for the home of Adams’ chief fund-raiser, Brianna Suggs — that there was no indication the investigation was targeting Adams, who has yet to be accused of any wrongdoing.
Adams told CNN that he expects his staff to “follow the law and cooperate with any sort of investigation,” adding, “I have nothing to hide.”
Crucial Quote
“I would be shocked if someone states that our campaign coordinated with illegal behavior,” Adams said earlier this week. “I cannot tell you how much I start the day with telling my team we’ve got to follow the law — got to follow the law, almost to the point that I’m annoying.”
Surprising Fact
Adams returned abruptly to New York City from Washington, D.C., last week after speaking with White House officials and congressional leaders about New York City’s migrant population. Adams said Wednesday he returned to the city to support his staff and Suggs, whom Adams said went through a “traumatic experience” after her home was raided by the FBI.
Key Background
Suggs, a campaign consultant to Adams, was questioned last week by FBI agents from a public corruption squad in the agency’s New York office. During the raid, officials seized two laptops, three iPhones and other evidence that included seven “contribution card binders.” Search warrants were also executed at businesses and homes in the New York area, law enforcement sources told CNN. It was not immediately clear why Suggs’ home was raided, though unnamed law enforcement officials later told CNN that the raid was tied to an investigation into Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign and whether it conspired with a Brooklyn-based construction company to channel money from Turkey into his campaign. Adams said last week that he felt “extremely comfortable about how I comply with rules and procedures,” adding he holds his campaign “to a high standard.”
Further Reading
F.B.I. Seizes Eric Adams’s Phones As Campaign Investigation Intensifies (New York Times)
NYC Mayor Eric Adams May Have Received Illegal Campaign Donations From Turkey—Here’s What We Know (Forbes)
Eric Adams Fundraising Chief Questioned By FBI (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/11/10/fbi-seized-nyc-mayor-eric-adams-phones-amid-campaign-investigation/