Both the FBI and New York City Federal prosecutors have launched an investigation surrounding Eric Adams and his 2021 NYC Mayoral Campaign. Officials are investigating whether or not the claim that Adam’s received donations from foreign Turkish officials illegally is legitimate. According to reports made by the New York Times, FBI and NYC prosecutors have been compiling evidence and information since the spring of this year and in recent weeks have taken steps to confiscate electronic devices and documents from both Adams and his counterparts.
In July of this year, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged donors of Eric Adams’ campaign in a straw donor scheme, which occurs when a donor gives funds to another person or another entity, normally a shell company (a company that is not active and serves as a vehicle for financial gain) who then distributes those funds to a political committee or group. The suit alleges the defendants’ scheme was structured in an effort to maximize the amount of extra money gained through the NYC Matching Funds Program, which matches small contributions made by NYC residents. In September, a grand jury indicted Adams’ former business commissioner, Eric Ulrich, on 16 felony charges including corruption. According to investigators at The Daily News, Ulrich told them he was tipped off about the evidence being gathered by prosecutors by none other than the Mayor himself, though Eric Adams has vehemently denied.
On Nov. 2, federal agents searched Eric Adams’ chief of fundraising, Brianna Suggs’ Brooklyn home. Suggs was responsible for aiding Adams in the collection of more than $18 million for his mayoral campaign. Agents confiscated a folder labeled “Eric Adams,” three phones and two computers. While federal agents were searching Briggs’ home, Adams was in Washington, D.C. to discuss the overwhelming migrant crisis NYC is currently facing with White House officials. Just before Adam’s was supposed to speak to officials, news broke of the FBI raid and Adams immediately flew back to NYC, with a City Hall spokesperson noting the reason Adam’s flew back to NYC was to “deal with a matter.” According to federal agents, they searched Briggs’ home in an attempt to corroborate claims that the mayor’s campaign gave benefits to Turkish officials and the Turkish government as a trade for campaign donations. Just four days later on Nov. 6th, FBI agents confiscated numerous electronics while Adams was leaving an event in the city.
The investigation specifically centers around financial donations which were given to Adam’s campaign by KSK Construction, a Turkish building company, which has direct ties to Turkish officials. According to investigators, there were nearly fifty donors from KSK Construction totaling around $44,000 which was then matched by NYC’s Public Matching Funds program. Candidates for office within New York City are legally allowed to take contributions from United states citizens and permanent residents who live in NYC; however, campaigns are not allowed to accept donations that come from corporations or from people who donate money for another.
Authorities leading the investigation surrounding Adams’ 2021 campaign allege that the Mayor had spoken with Daniel Nigro, who had formerly served as Fire Commissioner, and asked him to move forward on a building which had not opened due to permit issues and fire safety concerns. The building is now open and houses a new Turkish consulate, as well as apartments, art spaces and more. However, according to Adam’s, his conversation with the Fire Commissioner was a routine one and he had no part in expediting the building’s opening. Despite Adam’s vehemently denying any wrongdoing, public records highlight that even prior to the 2021 Mayoral campaign Adams had been tied with Turkey and Turkish officials. In 2015, Adams took a trip to visit Turkey which, according to public records, was partially funded by the Turkish consulate.
