Investigators looking into possible campaign finance violations by New York’s mayor have focused on a series of text messages discussing a new Turkish consulate in the city, according to a report.
On November 6, Eric Adams had his cell phones and iPad confiscated.
On November 2, the Brooklyn home of one of his top fundraisers was raided by the FBI – a raid that was supposed to take place while Adams was in Washington DC. Officers took mobile phones, laptops and folders with documents from the home.
The investigation concerns whether Adams benefited from Turkish connections and whether kickbacks were given to his campaign. Neither Adams nor his fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, have been accused of any wrongdoing, and Adams insists he and his campaign are scrupulous in their actions.
On Saturday, The New York Post reported that agents are particularly interested in a conversation Adams had in September 2021 – before he became mayor – about work at the Turkish consulate in Manhattan.
Eric Adams, seen on October 26, had his cellphones and iPad seized by the FBI on Monday as part of their campaign finance investigation
Reyhan Ozgur, the Turkish consul in New York City, asked Adams for help in obtaining the necessary permits for his new consulate, before the United Nations
Adams was Brooklyn borough president at the time and has spoken about his ties to the Turkish community in his ward – ties that his predecessor established and that Adams built on.
Reyhan Ozgur, the Turkish consul, told Adams in a text message that the new consulate had received the permits needed from the Buildings Department to open but did not have the fire certificate.
It still had to obtain a “temporary certificate of occupancy” from the fire department, Ozgur said, and asked Adams if he knew and could help Daniel Nigro, the fire chief.
Adams contacted Nigro and asked him to investigate the matter, but did not order him to do anything.
Nigro then texted Adams and said the approval was in progress and would be ready in a few days.
New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro was contacted by Eric Adams and asked for help
The 36-storey building opened in September 2021, opposite the United Nations
Adams’ supporters told the story The New York Post that his attempts to help the Turkish consul were routine.
Ruben Diaz Jr., a former lawmaker and Bronx borough president, told the newspaper he thought there was no problem helping Ozgur.
“I don’t think this should be a smoking gun,” he said. ‘I don’t see any problem at all.
“Every elected official makes calls on behalf of city agencies, on behalf of entities, businesses and voters. That’s what we do.’
City Councilman Kevin Riley, another Bronx Democrat, agreed.
“It’s not unusual for an (elected) member to reach out to a commissioner to see what he can do for his constituents,” he said.
“It’s usually protocol.”
After news of the seizure of his devices broke, Adams told CNN “he has nothing to hide.”
“As a former member of law enforcement, I expect all of my employees to follow the law and cooperate fully with any investigation – and I will continue to do so,” he added.
The New York Times reports that FBI officials approached the Democrat on the street Monday evening and asked that this security team step away. The officers then climbed into Adams’ SUV and took his devices — at least two cellphones and an iPad.
The devices were returned to Adams within a few days. The FBI can make copies of data from seized devices if they have a search warrant.
Adams, 63, announced this week that he has hired a personal attorney.
At his first press conference since the raid on Wednesday, Adams did not say his devices had been confiscated – he said he sleeps well at night” as he stood by Suggs and denied any wrongdoing.
FBI agents seized New York Mayor Eric Adams’ cellphones and an iPad earlier this week – days after raiding the home of his fundraising chief
The Brooklyn home of Adam’s top fundraiser and longtime confidante Brianna Suggs, 25, was raided by the FBI as part of an investigation into an alleged kickback scheme
The mayor said his campaign was following the rules and will continue to do so during the investigation into his fundraising.
It is not clear whether the officers were referring to the investigation when they took his electronic devices.
Boyd Johnson, the attorney for Adams and his campaign, said the mayor “immediately complied with the FBI’s request and provided them with electronic devices” after an event on Monday.
The attorney added, “After learning of the federal investigation, it was discovered that an individual had recently acted inappropriately.
“In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this conduct was immediately and proactively reported to investigators.”
Johnson did not identify the person or specify the inappropriate behavior cited.
On Wednesday, Adams said he would be “shocked and hurt” if officials discovered his campaign had done anything illegal.
Adams then laughed off the question of whether he personally could face federal charges.