November 11th 2023.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was recently subject to an FBI investigation into whether or not his 2021 mayoral campaign conspired with the Turkish government to accept illegal foreign donations. On Nov. 6, after informing his security detail to step away, FBI agents approached Adams and took his electronic devices, such as phones and iPads, with a warrant. A few days later, the devices were returned to Adams.
According to the Times, law enforcement is allowed to make copies of data they find on devices once they have seized them. Adams' lawyer Boyd Johnson informed the outlet that Adams had “proactively reported” at least one episode of improper behavior. Johnson also indicated that Adams complied with the FBI immediately and that he has not been charged with any crime.
In response to the investigation, Adams made a statement saying, “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.” He also added that there is “nothing to hide.” Adams is a retired police captain and insists that his desire for his staffers to follow the rule of law can be annoying.
The warrant permitted agents to search for evidence pointing to a conspiracy to break campaign finance law between members of the Adams campaign, Turkish nationals or the Turkish government, and KSK Construction, a Brooklyn construction company whose owners are Turkish. Agents searched the residence of Brianna Suggs, Adams’ chief fundraiser, and seized two laptops, three iPhones and a manila folder, which was marked “Eric Adams”.
When the New York Times investigated Adams’ fundraising record in 2021, Adams responded by blaming the scrutiny he was under on his race, saying, “Black candidates for office are often held to a higher, unfair standard — especially those from lower-income backgrounds such as myself. No campaign of mine has ever been charged with a serious fundraising violation, and no contribution has ever affected my decision-making as a public official. I did not go from being a person that enforced the law to become one that breaks the law.”
Despite the FBI investigation, Mayor Eric Adams has not been charged with any crime. He has also been open and transparent with the investigation, with his lawyer Boyd Johnson informing the press that Adams had “proactively reported” at least one episode of improper behavior. Adams also reminded the public that he is a former law enforcement member and expects all of his staff to follow the law. Adams has also laughed off any suggestion that he had done anything criminal and insists that there is “nothing to hide.”
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