The FBI and federal prosecutors are conducting a broad public corruption investigation into Mayor Eric Adam’s 2021 election campaign to determine whether it received illegal foreign donations in conspiracy with the Turkish government, the New York Times reported after obtaining a search warrant.
The investigation entered the public eye Thursday when the FBI raided the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, chief fundraiser for Adams’ reelection campaign, and Adams abruptly canceled high-level meetings in Washington planned to discuss the migrant crisis.
There is no evidence indicating that Adams is being investigated.
The main points the New York Times found in the search warrant are as follows:
• Investigators sought information about the involvement of Brooklyn construction company, KSK Construction Group, which has ties to Turkey.
• Agents seized three iPhones, two laptops and papers and other evidence, including something agents referred to as “manila folder labeled Eric Adams.”
• Some of the foreign contributions to the campaign were part of a straw donor scheme, a ploy where donations are made in the names of people who didn’t donate.
• Investigators searched for evidence to support charges that include theft of federal funds, wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, campaign contributions by foreign nationals and conspiracy to make such contributions.
• Suggs was served with a subpoena calling on her to testify before a federal grand jury hearing evidence in Manhattan.
“I have not been contacted by anyone from any law enforcement agency, and that’s why I came back from D.C., to be here, to be on the ground, and look at this inquiry as it was made,” Adams said at a reception celebrating día de los muertos at Gracie mansion Thursday evening.
Fabien Levy, the deputy mayor for communications, said in a statement Thursday that “The mayor heard of an issue related to the campaign and takes these issues seriously, so wanted to get back to New York as quickly as possible. He plans to return to D.C. and reschedule these meetings as soon as he can.”
“I hold my campaign to the highest ethical standards. Any inquiry that is done we’re going to fully participate and make sure that it’s done correctly,” Adams said.