The FBI seized cell telephones utilized by New York City Mayor Eric Adams as a part of a federal corruption probe into his marketing campaign.
The seizure pertains to an investigation into whether or not the New York Democrat’s marketing campaign accepted illicit donations from the Turkish authorities.
The company executed a search warrant on Nov. 2 on the residence of Susanna Suggs, a 25-year-old former intern and fundraiser for Mr. Adams’ 2021 mayoral marketing campaign.
There, bureau personnel seized information, paperwork and digital communications gadgets to determine whether or not the marketing campaign had solicited or knowingly accepted donations from Turkey via completely different U.S. entities, in keeping with The New York Times, which first reported the seizure of Mr. Adams’ telephones Friday.
Mr. Adams’ gadgets taken by the FBI embody two cell telephones, an Apple iPad, two private computer systems and three Apple iPhones in addition to a folder with the label “Eric Adams” from Ms. Suggs’ residence.
Mr. Adams launched an announcement on the time of the raid saying that he could be indignant if “anyone attempted to use the campaign to manipulate our democracy and defraud our campaign.”
“I want to be clear, I have no knowledge, direct or otherwise, of any improper fundraising activity — and certainly not of any foreign money,” the mayor stated. “We will of course work with officials to respond to inquiries, as appropriate — as we always have.”
Ms. Suggs was not arrested however obtained a subpoena to testify earlier than a grand jury that convened to analyze the Adams marketing campaign.
The day of the raid, Mr. Adams was in Washington to fulfill with White House officers and congressional leaders in regards to the migrant disaster in New York City. The raid pressured Mr. Adams to abruptly cancel conferences and return residence.
FBI brokers approached the New York mayor whereas he was in public and gave him a court-ordered warrant for his gadgets, which they returned a number of days later after copying the info.
Four individuals have been charged in July in a scheme to boost cash via straw donations for the Adams marketing campaign.
The defendants deliberate to induce the mayor’s workplace for building jobs.
Mr. Adams was not charged and a marketing campaign spokesman stated on the time, “We would never tolerate these actions.”
