FBI investigates corruption
New York mayor’s cell phone confiscated
November 11, 2023, 4:40 a.m
New York’s mayor is foregoing a trip to Washington because a corruption investigation is troubling him and his campaign team. The former police officer emphasizes that he was not guilty of anything. The FBI confiscates his cell phones.
FBI agents have confiscated cell phones and other electronic devices belonging to New York Mayor Eric Adams. The seizure came as part of an investigation into suspected corruption in Adams’ 2021 campaign, the New York Times reported. Accordingly, Adams is said to have worked with the Turkish government on the campaign.
According to the newspaper, Adams was approached by the agents after an event on Monday and then got into his car. The agents took the mayor’s electronic devices, including two cellphones and an iPad, the newspaper reported, citing sources familiar with the case. The devices were returned to Adams a few days later.
Lawyer Boyd Johnson told AFP: “On Monday evening, the FBI spoke to the mayor after an event. The mayor immediately complied with the FBI’s request and handed over the electronic devices.” Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing and is cooperating with investigators, the attorney added. Adams is a former police officer and member of the Democrats.
Raid on Adam’s fundraiser
The campaign investigation became public last week when FBI agents raided the home of Adams’ former fundraiser Brianna Suggs, taking laptops, cell phones and a folder marked “Eric Adams.”
According to the New York Times, the house search was looking for evidence of a conspiracy between the mayor and Turkey. Authorities were investigating whether the Turkish government or Turkish nationals funneled donations to Mr. Adams through a so-called straw man system in which the listed donors were not the actual source of funds. After the seizure, Adams canceled a trip to Washington to meet White House officials and remained in New York.