Eric Adams Corruption Investigation: FBI Takes Action Against New York Mayor

The FBI made a move this week by seizing electronic devices from New York City's mayor. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into potential Eric Adams corruption during 2021 mayoral campaign fundraising, according to sources reported by The NY Post.

The seized items include at least two cell phones and an iPad. The federal investigation is delving into whether Mayor Adams' campaign collaborated with the Turkish government and other entities to funnel money into his bid for mayor. The New York Times first reported this development.

Boyd Johnson, Adams' campaign attorney, emphasized that the mayor is cooperating fully with federal authorities.

Johnson acknowledged that during a review, they found evidence of improper conduct by an individual.

In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this information was promptly reported to investigators.

The encounter between the FBI and the mayor occurred on a Monday night after an event. According to Johnson, the mayor willingly complied with the FBI's request, providing them with electronic devices.

It is crucial to note that Mayor Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing and remains actively engaged in cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

Eric Adams Investigation

The focus of the FBI investigation revolves around whether Adams' 2021 campaign colluded with the Turkish government and other entities to channel funds into its coffers, The Guardian noted.

A search warrant was specifically seeking records related to donations from Bay Atlantic University, a college in Washington DC founded by a Turkish individual and affiliated with a school Adams reportedly visited during his tenure as Brooklyn borough president in 2015.

The donations in question, as previously reported, came from around 500 different contributors, as noted by the local New York City news publication, the City.

The search warrant is also probing whether Adams' campaign took advantage of New York City's public matching program, which offers an eight-to-one match for the first $250 of a resident's contribution.

Vito Pitta, Adams' campaign counsel, addressed this concern, stating that the campaign has responded appropriately to every notice from the campaign finance board.

Associates' Homes Searched Amid Eric Adams Corruption Probe

The recent search and seizure occurred in the context of a broader corruption probe involving Adams' associates.

FBI agents searched the home of Brianna Suggs, Chief Election Campaign Fundraiser for Adams on November 2.

She was subsequently questioned by public corruption investigators, city officials, and local media.

Law enforcement has been looking into several individuals associated with Adams in recent months.

In July, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the indictment of six people, accusing them of employing a straw donor scheme to unlawfully generate public matching funds for Adams' 2021 election campaign, Reuters reports.

All six individuals have pleaded not guilty. Notably, Adams himself was not implicated in any wrongdoing and asserted that neither he nor his campaign team had knowledge of or involvement in the alleged scheme.

As for Adams' 2025 election campaign, public records indicate that Suggs's consulting firm, Suggs Solutions, has received about $98,000 so far.

Suggs has been associated with Adams since 2017, when she began as an intern in his office during his tenure as the Brooklyn borough president, according to her LinkedIn profile.

While actively involved in fundraising for Adams' election campaign, Suggs was concurrently compensated for lobbying on behalf of a Manhattan property owner seeking a lease extension for a shopping complex in a city-owned building, as reported by the New York Daily News in April.

Following the FBI's search of Suggs' home, Adams, who had traveled to Washington for meetings on November 2 regarding the city's shelter crisis for asylum seekers and other recently arrived migrants, abruptly canceled those engagements to return to New York.

Adams stated that his decision to cut short his trip was driven by compassion for Suggs, a 25-year-old former intern who had risen to the position of his chief fundraiser.

A campaign spokesperson revealed that the FBI had returned some of the electronic devices seized in connection with Eric Adams corruption investigation.

However, they did not specify which devices had not yet returned, leaving some aspects of the situation still unclear, AP noted.

The investigation continues, and Mayor Adams maintains his stance of cooperation and transparency.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Mayor Eric Adams' phones, iPad seized by FBI in fundraising investigation - From CBS New York