The FBI is looking into whether Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign, shortly after winning the city’s Democratic mayoral primary over two years ago, exerted pressure on Fire Department officials to permit the opening of the Turkish consulate, located across from the United Nations, despite safety concerns.
The New York Times initially disclosed this information, relying on “three people with knowledge of the matter.” The impressive building, valued at almost $300 million and spanning 35 stories, was praised by Turkey’s president as a “masterpiece.” He oversaw its grand opening in September 2021.
While the specific details of the investigation have not been publicly revealed by prosecutors, a search warrant obtained by the Times suggests that investigators are examining whether the Adams campaign provided benefits to Turkish officials in exchange for campaign donations. Accepting donations from foreign nationals is prohibited by law.
The FBI is scrutinizing text messages from that period between the current Mayor, Eric Adams, the then-Fire Commissioner, Dan Nigro, and the Turkish consul general. Agents seized phones and an iPad from Adams last Monday.
The FBI has reportedly visited Dan Nigro, the former Fire Commissioner, to inquire about the mayor’s involvement. This visit occurred shortly after the execution of a search warrant at the residence of Breanna Suggs, the mayor’s chief fundraiser.
Who is Breanna Suggs?
Breanna Suggs has been associated with Mayor Eric Adams since 2017, initially joining when he held the position of Brooklyn Borough president. In the mayoral campaign, she assumed roles as the chief fundraiser and director of logistics, responsible for organizing events and securing financial support from donors.
As of now, neither the mayor nor Breanna Suggs has been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the investigation.
In an official statement, the chief counsel of City Hall expressed that the mayor and their team are actively collaborating with investigators and remain hopeful for reciprocal cooperation. The statement also raised concerns about potential leaks from federal officers, emphasizing that such unauthorized disclosures could prejudice the public and undermine the integrity of the law enforcement process.
What role does Mayor Adams play in the investigation?
The mayor’s attorney, Boyd Johnson, affirmed last week that Mayor Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing and is actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Mayor Adams stated that he canceled his scheduled visit to Washington, D.C., on the day of the raid to ensure stability in the city. Adams, 63, has been in office since January 2022, having been elected mayor two years ago. His political career followed a 22-year stint in the police force, during which he served as a state senator and in the ceremonial role of Brooklyn Borough President before running for mayor.
On Monday, the FBI confiscated Mayor Adams’ phones and iPad, following the recent raid by federal agents on the residence of a key fundraiser.
The devices were returned a few days later, but it’s the first time the FBI is directly touching the mayor in their investigation.
The mayor’s office took proactive measures by reaching out to the FBI last week following the news of the raid on the Brooklyn home of Adams’ chief fundraiser. A source mentioned that an individual within the campaign behaved “improperly,” but specifics about the person’s identity or the allegations were not disclosed. The seizures occurred after an event on Monday night, as indicated in a statement from Johnson.
FBI agents approached Adams on the street on Monday night and requested his security detail to step away. They then climbed into the mayor’s SUV with him and handed over a court-authorized warrant to seize his electronic devices.
Subsequently, the mayor discovered additional devices, which he handed over to the FBI’s Southern District of New York office along with their unlock codes.
