NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The FBI has seized electronic devices from Mayor Eric Adams as part of a broader federal corruption investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign, Adams' attorney confirmed on Friday.
The seizures happened after an event Monday night, according to a statement from the mayor’s attorney, Boyd Johnson. The probe is examining potential collusion with the Turkish government and other entities to funnel money into his campaign.
“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,” the statement said. “The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the investigation.”
Agents approached Adams directly on the street, requesting his security detail to step aside before they proceeded to seize at least two cellphones and an iPad from his SUV, under a court-authorized warrant.
These devices were reportedly returned to the mayor a few days later.
“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. I have nothing to hide,” Adams said on Friday about the seizure.
This is the first instance of the investigation visibly reaching the mayor himself.
The FBI and Southern District Attorney's Office declined 1010 WINS/WCBS' request for comment.
“I start the day with telling my team, ‘We got to follow the law,’” Adams had said during his weekly press conference on Wednesday. “It’s almost to the point that I’m annoying. I just strongly believe you have to follow the law.”
During the conference, he had laughed off a question about whether he could possibly face federal charges and noted that he had hired a lawyer from the law firm WilmerHale to represent him.
The seizure of the devices, first reported by The New York Times, came days after federal agents searched the Brooklyn home of Adams’ top campaign fundraiser, Brianna Suggs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.