According to his campaign counsel on Friday, FBI agents seized the New York mayor’s cell phones and other electronics in what looks to be an expansion of a federal investigation into campaign financing.
The seizure appears to be part of an inquiry into allegations of corruption and possible cooperation between the Turkish government, other political parties, and the 2021 campaign of Eric Adams.
“On Monday night, the FBI approached the mayor after an event. The Mayor immediately complied with the FBI’s request and provided them with electronic devices,” said Boyd Johnson, the campaign’s attorney, in a statement to AFP.
“The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the investigation,” the attorney added.
After FBI officers searched the home of former top fundraiser Brianna Suggs, a 25-year-old former intern, they found laptops, cell phones, and a manila folder marked “Eric Adams.” This marked the beginning of the federal investigation into Adams’ campaign.
After learning of the raid, the mayor decided to abruptly return to New York from Washington, where he was scheduled to meet with representatives from Congress and the White House regarding the flood of migrants entering his city.
In a statement on Friday, Adams, a former police officer, said that “I expect all members of my staff to follow the law and fully cooperate with any sort of investigation.”
“I will continue to do exactly that,” the mayor said. “I have nothing to hide.”
