Prior to the FBI search of a political consultant's home, with close ties to New York City's mayor, an apparent campaign financing investigation involving his campaign had already heated up.
FBI agents confiscated two phones and an iPad from Mayor Eric Adams (D) Monday night. Agents approached the mayor on the street, asked his security detail to step aside and took possession of his belongings. They were returned days later.
As CBS News reports:
Adams' campaign attorney Boyd Johnson issued the following statement, which appears to raise questions about someone else close to him being involved in some kind of impropriety:
“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. The Mayor has been and remains committed to cooperating in this matter. 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. The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the investigation.”
On Wednesday, at his weekly meeting with reporters, Adams faced questions mostly about the stunning FBI raid on the home of his chief campaign fundraiser Briana Suggs. The mayor did not reveal that he had been approached by FBI agents who confiscated his electronic devices two days earlier.
Sources told CBS New York political reporter Marcia Kramer the information Adams' lawyers turned over to investigators did not involve Suggs, but someone else in the mayor's circle.
The confiscation of Adams' electronic devices marked a significant development into allegations his mayoral campaign conspired with the Turkish government.
Sources refused to characterize the person, but information about them was believed to be on one of the mayor's devices, which were apparently returned to him after a few days.
Nevertheless, Adams flew to Washington, D.C. on Thursday to discuss the migrant crisis affecting New York City with members of the Biden administration, acting as if nothing was amiss.
He abruptly canceled the meeting and promptly returned following news of the FBI raid on political consultant Suggs' Brooklyn home.
Adams' office promised to reschedule the meeting as soon as possible.
An FBI spokesperson declined a request for comment.
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