Investigators looking into potential campaign finance violations by New York’s mayor have been focusing on a series of text messages discussing a new Turkish consulate in the city, according to a report.
Eric Adams had his cellphones and iPad seized on November 6.
On November 2, the Brooklyn home of one of his top fundraisers had been raided by the FBI – a raid timed to take place while Adams was in Washington DC. Agents took from the home cellphones, laptops, and folders of documents.
The inquiry is into whether Adams benefitted 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 was mayor – about work on the Turkish consulate in Manhattan.
Eric Adams, seen on October 26, had his cellphones and iPad taken by the FBI on Monday, as part of their campaign finance inquiry
Reyhan Ozgur, the Turkish consul in New York City, asked Adams for his help in obtaining the necessary permits for his new consulate, opposite the United Nations
Adams was Brooklyn borough president at the time, and has spoken about his ties to the Turkish community in his borough – ties his predecessor made, and which Adams built on.
Reyhan Ozgur, the Turkish consul, told Adams in a text that the new consulate had received the permits needed from the Buildings Department to open, but did not have the Fire Department certificate.
It still had to secure a ‘temporary certificate of occupancy’ from the Fire Department, Ozgur said, and asked Adams if he knew Daniel Nigro, the fire chief, and could help.
Adams contacted Nigro and asked him to look into the matter – but did not order him to do anything.
Nigro then texted Adams and said the approval was being prepared, and would be ready within days.
Daniel Nigro, the fire commissioner of New York City, was contacted by Eric Adams and asked for help
The 36-story building opened in September 2021, opposite the United Nations
Adams’ supporters told The New York Post that his efforts to help the Turkish consul were routine.
Ruben Diaz Jr., a former state assemblyman and Bronx borough president, told the paper he thought there was no problem with trying to help Ozgur.
‘I don’t think that should be a smoking gun,’ he said. ‘I don’t see any issue at all.
‘Every elected official makes calls on behalf of city agencies on behalf of entities, businesses and constituents. That is what we do.’
City Councilman Kevin Riley, another Bronx Democrat, agreed.
‘It’s not foreign for an [elected] member to reach out to a commissioner to see what they can do for constituents,’ he said.
‘It’s usually protocol.’
After news of his devices being seized broke, Adams told CNN ‘he has nothing to hide.’
‘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 added.
The New York Times reports that FBI officials approached the Democrat on Monday night on the street and asked for this security team to step away. The agents then climbed into Adams’ SUV and took his devices – at least two cellphones and an iPad.
The devices were returned to Adams within a couple of days. The FBI can make copies of the data of seized devices if they have a search warrant.
Adams, 63, revealed this week that he has retained a personal lawyer.
During his first press conference since the raid, on Wednesday, Adams did not mention his devices were seized – he said he ‘sleeps well at night’ as he stood by Suggs and denied any wrongdoing.
FBI agents seized New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ cellphones and an iPad earlier this week – days after they raided 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 followed the rules and will continue to do so during the investigation into his fundraising.
It’s not clear whether the agents referred to the investigation as they took his electronic devices.
Boyd Johnson, the lawyer for Adams and his campaign, said the mayor ‘immediately complied with the F.B.I.’s request and provided them with electronic devices’ on Monday after an event.
The lawyer added: ‘After learning of the federal investigation, it was discovered that an individual had recently acted improperly.
‘In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behavior was immediately and proactively reported to investigators.’
Johnson did not identify the person or specify the mentioned inappropriate conduct.
On Wednesday, Adams said he would be ‘shocked and hurt’ if officials found his campaign had done anything illegal.
Adams then laughed off a question about whether he could personally face federal charges.