FBI seizes mobile phones and evidence from New York mayor
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FBI agents have seized three mobile phones and an iPad belonging to the mayor of New York City, Eric Adams.
The seizures are part of an investigation into whether his 2021 campaign conspired with Turkey and others to fund his election, the New York Times reported.
Foreign donations – either direct or indirect – are illegal in American elections.
Federal authorities are reportedly investigating whether, weeks before the mayoral election, Mr Adams put pressure on the city’s fire department to sign off plans for a new high-rise Turkish consulate in Manhattan.
Already under fire for rising crime in the city and his handling of the migrant crisis, the investigation is a fresh blow for Mr Adams, a Democrat and former police captain.
Mr Adams was reportedly approached by FBI agents following an event in Manhattan on Monday. Armed with a warrant, they climbed into his SUV and seized the devices.
They were returned several days later.
It is unclear whether the agents exercised their powers to copy data from the devices.
Four days earlier, FBI agents launched an early morning raid on the home of Briana Suggs, a political consultant and the mayor’s chief fundraiser.
They seized two laptops, three iPhones, “contribution card binders” and a manila folder labelled “Eric Adams”, the New York Times reported.
Although there was no indication at the time that Mr Adams was being targeted, the New York mayor abruptly cancelled meetings in the White House to discuss the migrant crisis and rushed back to the city.
He said he had returned to New York because Ms Suggs had been through a “traumatic experience”, but had not spoken to her because he did not want to appear to be interfering in an active investigation.
Later that day, at an event at Gracie Mansion, his official residence, Mr Adams insisted that his campaign had observed the “highest ethical standards”.
Ms Suggs has not commented on the raid which, according to the New York Times, was examining whether there was evidence of a conspiracy to violate campaign finance law.
In particular, it was examining whether Turkish nationals used “straw donors” to funnel donations to the Mr Adams mayoral campaign.
Charles Kretchmer Lutvak, Mr Adams’ spokesman, said she was not employed by the city.
Mr Adams allegedly contacted Daniel Nigro, the fire commissioner, urging him to allow the Turkish government to occupy the high-rise building on a temporary basis.
This was despite safety concerns being voiced by some officials in the city’s fire department, the New York Times reported.
Mr Adams has made little secret of his close ties to Turkey, boasting that he had made more visits to the country than any of his predecessors.
Mr Adams dismissed suggestions that he was under threat of prosecution. He said in a statement that he had nothing to hide.
Mr Adams added: “As a former member of law enforcement, I expect all members of my staff to follow the law and fully cooperate with any sort of investigation — and I will continue to do exactly that.”
And Mr Adam’s lawyer, Boyd Johnson, said the mayor was cooperating with the authorities.
“After learning of the federal investigation, it was discovered that an individual had recently acted improperly,” he added.
“In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behaviour was immediately and proactively reported to investigators.”
Neither the FBI nor the US Attorney’s office in the Southern District of New York have commented on the investigation.
