FBI investigation into Eric Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign explained

In spring 2023,[1] the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York[2] began a corruption investigation into alleged straw donors from the government of Turkey through construction company KSK Construction to the 2021 campaign of New York City mayor Eric Adams.

Background

See also: 2021 New York City mayoral election. Adams's fundraising efforts have attracted scrutiny. In 2018, real estate developer David Schwartz met with Adams, then-borough president of Brooklyn, and donated to his campaign. Adams endorsed zoning changes sought by Slate Property Group, Schwartz's company, to construct a skyscraper taller than as allowed by zoning laws.[3] In May 2021, employees of the Brooklyn construction firm KSK Construction donated a total of to Adams's mayoral campaign, allowing the campaign to qualify for in public matching funds. According to Politico, of the firm's eleven employees, ten had not made a prior political donation; co-owner Erden Arkan last donated to former Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz's campaign in 2009.[4]

Adams has boasted his support for Turkey, stating that no other mayor in New York City history had visited the country as much as he did.[5] In August 2015, the consulate-general of Turkey paid for Adams's trip to the country. After securing the Democratic mayoral primary in July, Adams urged then-fire commissioner Daniel A. Nigro to allow the government of Turkey to occupy the Turkish House; the New York City Fire Department declined to sign off on the building, citing fire safety issues.[1] During his borough presidency, Adams met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[6]

Investigation

On November 2, 2023, investigators raided the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, Adams's chief fundraiser. The search warrant, obtained by The New York Times, states agents seized three iPhones, two laptops, contribution card binders, and other documents.[5] The Federal Bureau of Investigation searched a dozen locations that day,[7] including the residence of former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Öcal and international affairs aide Rana Abbasova.[8] On November 3, investigators questioned Nigro over the Turkish House.[1] Days after the raid at Suggs's home, the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized at least two of Adams's cellphones and an iPad. Adams's campaign cooperated with the FBI's request.[9] The New York Times initially reported the seizures.[2]

On February 29, 2024, The New York Times reported that the FBI searched two houses owned by Winnie Greco, Adams's Asian affairs advisor.[10] [11] On April 5, the Times reported that the FBI is investigating flight upgrades Adams purportedly received on Turkish Airlines flights.[12] In July, investigators served grand jury subpoenas.[13]

Reactions

Eric Adams

Adams canceled several meetings at the White House to discuss the New York City migrant housing crisis following the raid. At a Day of the Dead celebration at Gracie Mansion that night, Adams stated that his campaign was up to the "highest ethical standards".[5] Adams denied the accusations at a press conference at New York City Hall press conference the following week, disclosing that he had retained the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.[14]

Following a report from The New York Times that Adams was being investigated over the construction of the Turkish House, Adams further denied wrongdoing[15] and assured that he would continue to cooperate with investigators.[16] Adams and the City Hall's chief counsel requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation cease leaks of its investigation.[17]

Democratic Party

Brooklyn Democratic Party chairwoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn questioned if the inquiry was related to Adams' race.[18] State senator Leroy Comrie called the investigation a witch hunt.[19]

Republican Party

Representative Brandon Williams accused the investigation of being a "weaponization of the justice system" against Adams' critical comments towards president Joe Biden. New York City Council minority leader Joe Borelli defended Adams on Twitter.[19]

Media analysis

The New York Posts editorial board questioned if the investigation could be political retribution. Politico compared the rhetoric among Adams's supporters with Donald Trump's supporters.[19]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: F.B.I. Examining Whether Adams Cleared Red Tape for Turkish Government . November 12, 2023 . Rashbaum . William . Rubinstein . Dana . Rothfeld . Michael . . November 10, 2023 . November 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231112141543/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/nyregion/eric-adams-investigation-turkey-consulate.html . live .
  2. Web site: FBI seizes New York City Mayor Eric Adams' phones as part of federal investigation into fundraising . Scannell . Kara . Pazmino . Gloria . 10 November 2023 . . November 10, 2023 . November 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110211555/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/10/politics/eric-adams-phones-seized-fbi/index.html . live .
  3. Web site: How Eric Adams, Mayoral Candidate, Mixed Money and Political Ambition . May 16, 2021 . Rothfeld . Michael . . November 10, 2023 . November 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110213728/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/16/nyregion/eric-adams-fund-raising.html . live .
  4. Web site: A construction firm rarely made campaign contributions. Then Adams ran. . November 7, 2023 . Chadha . Janaki . . November 10, 2023 . November 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110012432/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/07/a-construction-firm-rarely-made-campaign-contributions-then-adams-ran-00125845 . live .
  5. Web site: U.S. Investigating Whether Adams Received Illegal Donations From Turkey . November 2, 2023 . Rashbaum . William . Rubinstein . Dana . Mays . Jeffrey . . November 10, 2023 . November 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231109221033/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/02/nyregion/eric-adams-brianna-suggs-fbi-raid.html . live .
  6. Web site: Eric Adams's Turkey Ties: Travel, Donations and a Meeting With Erdogan . November 14, 2023 . Fitzsimmons . Emma . . November 14, 2023 . November 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114200505/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/nyregion/adams-turkey-investigation-nyc.html . live .
  7. Web site: Investigation into NYC Mayor Adams focused on campaign money and possible foreign influence . November 14, 2023 . Miller . John . . November 10, 2023 . November 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114134752/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/politics/mayor-eric-adams-investigation-campaign-money-foreign-influence/index.html . live .
  8. Web site: F.B.I. Raided Homes of Second Adams Aide and Ex-Turkish Airline Official . November 16, 2023 . Rashbaum . William . Rothfeld . Michael . Dana . Rubinstein . Hong . Nicole . . November 16, 2023 . November 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117045643/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/nyregion/nyc-adams-turkey-raid-aide.html . live .
  9. Web site: F.B.I. Seizes Eric Adams's Phones as Campaign Investigation Intensifies . November 10, 2023 . Rashbaum . William . Rubinstein . Dana . Rothfeld . Michael . . November 10, 2023 . November 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110203039/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/10/nyregion/adams-fbi-investigation-phones.html . live .
  10. Web site: F.B.I. Searches Houses Owned by Adams's Asian Affairs Adviser . February 29, 2024 . Rashbaum . William . Fitzsimmons . Emma . . February 29, 2024.
  11. News: Anuta . Joe . Coltin . Jeff . March 4, 2024 . Meet the New York City Hall community liaison whose house was raided by the FBI . March 4, 2024 . Politico.
  12. News: F.B.I. Examining Free Airfare Upgrades Received by Adams . . April 5, 2024 . Rashbaum . William K. . Rothfeld . Michael . Rubinstein . Dana . April 5, 2024.
  13. Web site: Eric Adams and His Campaign Receive Subpoenas in Federal Investigation . August 15, 2024 . Rashbaum . William . Rubinstein . Dana . . August 15, 2024.
  14. Web site: Mayor Adams Denies Wrongdoing and Retains Lawyer After Federal Raid . November 8, 2023 . Dana . Rubinstein . Rashbaum . William . . November 10, 2023 . November 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110010007/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/nyregion/eric-adams-turkey-raid.html . live .
  15. Web site: Eric Adams on latest NYT report: 'I have not been accused of wrongdoing' . November 13, 2023 . Sforza . Lauren . . November 14, 2023 . November 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114023401/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4307177-eric-adams-nyt-not-accused-wrongdoing/ . live .
  16. Web site: New York Mayor Eric Adams says he'll continue to work with investigators as NYT reports new details on FBI probe . Morales . Mark . Pazmino . Gloria . Beech . Samantha . 12 November 2023 . . November 14, 2023 . November 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113204350/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/12/politics/eric-adams-investigation-cooperate/index.html . live .
  17. Web site: Mayor Eric Adams, City Hall ask FBI to cease leaks of campaign financing probe . November 13, 2023 . Rozner . Lisa . . November 14, 2023 . November 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114002020/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mayor-eric-adams-city-hall-ask-fbi-to-cease-leaks-of-campaign-financing-probe/ . live .
  18. Web site: F.B.I. Raid of Adams Ally Brings Corruption Question to Mayor's Doorstep . November 3, 2023 . Fitzsimmons . Emma . Mays . Jeffrey . . November 10, 2023 . November 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231109202542/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/nyregion/eric-adams-fbi-raid-suggs.html . live .
  19. Web site: Republicans think Adams, like Trump, is getting a raw deal with the feds . November 15, 2023 . Coltin . Jeff . Anuta . Joe . . November 15, 2023 . November 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116000811/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/15/eric-adams-trump-fbi-new-york-00127490 . live .

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