FBI agents seized phones and an iPad from New York City Mayor Eric Adams last week as part of an investigation into political fundraising during his 2021 campaign. The seizures happened as Adams was leaving a public event in Manhattan, reports the Associated Press. “On Monday night, the FBI approached the mayor after an event. The Mayor immediately complied with the FBI’s request and provided them with electronic devices,” said his attorney, Boyd Johnson. “The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the investigation.”
The seizure of the devices, first reported by the New York Times, came four days after federal agents searched the Brooklyn home of Adams’ campaign fundraiser, Brianna Suggs. That search prompted the mayor to cancel a trip to meet with White House officials in Washington. Adams, a former police captain, said he had “nothing to hide.” He said, “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.” The seizure is the clearest evidence that federal investigators are interested in Adams, who has kept an arms-length distance from ethics scandals that have dogged his associates. Adams, a Democrat, initially insisted he wasn’t aware of any wrongdoing by members of his campaign team. He said he would be “shocked” if anyone acted inappropriately. On Friday, Adams’ attorney said “an individual had recently acted improperly.” The Times reported a search warrant indicating authorities are examining whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive donations from foreign sources, funneled through straw donors.