FBI seizes New York City mayor Eric Adams' phones and iPad in political fundraising investigation
As part of an investigation of political funding during his 2021 campaign, FBI investigators surreptitiously confiscated phones and an iPad from New York City Mayor Eric Adams early this week, his counsel revealed on Friday. Adams was exiting a public event in Manhattan when the seizures occurred, according to a statement from Boyd Johnson, the mayor's counsel.
Following an event on monday night, the mayor was approached by the FBI. According to Johnson, the Mayor complied with the FBI's request and gave them electronic devices right away. "The mayor is still assisting with the investigation and has not been charged with any crimes."
The New York Times was the first to report on the gadget seizure, which occurred four days after federal authorities raided Brianna Suggs, Adams' primary campaign donor, home in Brooklyn. The mayor was going to meet with white house officials in Washington, but after doing that search, he decided to cancel and go back to New York.
Adams, a former police captain, declared in a statement on friday that he had "nothing to hide."
He said, "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 am a former member of law enforcement."
The seizure's disclosure is the strongest indication to far that federal investigators are looking at Adams; in the past, Adams has avoided the ethics issues that have haunted a number of his allies.
When Adams, a Democrat, spoke with reporters on Wednesday, he maintained that he was unaware of any misconduct by members of his campaign crew and made no public comments about his phones being taken. He declared that if anyone in his campaign behaved improperly, he would be "shocked."
However, Adams' lawyer claimed in a statement on friday that they had "found that an individual had recently acted improperly." His campaign spokesman refused to specify who was at fault or what exactly they had done wrong.
Following the announcement of the federal inquiry, it was found that someone had lately engaged in inappropriate behaviour. Johnson stated, "This behaviour was immediately and proactively reported to investigators in the spirit of transparency and cooperation," without providing any further information.
Both the FBI and the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office declined to comment.
Following an event on monday night, the mayor was approached by the FBI. According to Johnson, the Mayor complied with the FBI's request and gave them electronic devices right away. "The mayor is still assisting with the investigation and has not been charged with any crimes."
The New York Times was the first to report on the gadget seizure, which occurred four days after federal authorities raided Brianna Suggs, Adams' primary campaign donor, home in Brooklyn. The mayor was going to meet with white house officials in Washington, but after doing that search, he decided to cancel and go back to New York.
Adams, a former police captain, declared in a statement on friday that he had "nothing to hide."
He said, "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 am a former member of law enforcement."
The seizure's disclosure is the strongest indication to far that federal investigators are looking at Adams; in the past, Adams has avoided the ethics issues that have haunted a number of his allies.
When Adams, a Democrat, spoke with reporters on Wednesday, he maintained that he was unaware of any misconduct by members of his campaign crew and made no public comments about his phones being taken. He declared that if anyone in his campaign behaved improperly, he would be "shocked."
However, Adams' lawyer claimed in a statement on friday that they had "found that an individual had recently acted improperly." His campaign spokesman refused to specify who was at fault or what exactly they had done wrong.
Following the announcement of the federal inquiry, it was found that someone had lately engaged in inappropriate behaviour. Johnson stated, "This behaviour was immediately and proactively reported to investigators in the spirit of transparency and cooperation," without providing any further information.
Both the FBI and the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office declined to comment.