Is FBI Investigating NYC Mayor? What We Know About Eric Adams' Turkey Ties

The FBI has seized New York City Mayor Eric Adams' electronic devices as part of an ongoing investigation involving his top fundraiser.

Adams and his campaign attorney confirmed the investigation on Friday after the FBI initially approached the mayor on Monday.

"After learning of the federal investigation, it was discovered that an individual had recently acted improperly," campaign attorney Boyd Johnson told Newsweek in a statement. "In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behavior was immediately and proactively reported to investigators."

He went on: "The mayor has been and remains committed to cooperating in this manner. 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."

Adams has publicly denied any wrongdoing, saying: "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. I have nothing to hide."

Newsweek reached out to Adams' campaign via email for additional comment.

Connections to Turkey

Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign is the subject of an FBI probe looking into whether it allegedly conspired with Turkey to accept illegal foreign money contributions.

Three American members of the board of the Turken Foundation, which was founded by Bilal Erdogan, the son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, donated $6,000 to Adams' campaign between 2018 and 2021, according to website The City.

Adams has previously said he met with Erdogan while serving as Brooklyn borough president.

"I was at a dinner once here for a nonprofit and...the president of Turkey was there and...constituents here in New York City stated that I was extremely supportive of them," Adams told The City.

"He greeted me," Adams said of Erdogan. "He said hello. We exchanged pleasantries."

While Erdogan has been in office, Turkey has been cited several times by the U.S. State Department for human rights violations, including reports of killings, torture and detaining political opponents, journalists and activists.

Publicly, the Turken Foundation says its mission is to house Muslim students and promote cross-cultural relationships. Last year, the foundation registered as a foreign agent with the Department of Justice, and Turkish opposition leaders have alleged the foundation works for the Erdogan family to keep money outside of Turkey.

This isn't the first time Adams has been tied to Turkish campaign contributions. In 2018, his campaign received $12,600 from two board members of the Turkish American Steering Committee, according to The City. This group was led by an individual connected to Erdogan's political party.

In 2018, Adams presented a "certificate of appreciation" to the Turken Foundation for its "contribution to the region and intercultural relations." When the foundation opened a new building in midtown Manhattan, Adams was there to show his support.

The FBI probe is looking to see if Turkey government officials are using American citizens to unofficially make foreign campaign contributions. Federal law prohibits foreign nationals and governments from donating to any local, state or federal campaigns.

Adams and his campaign have not been linked to or accused of any criminal wrongdoing. He has previously said his frequent trips to Turkey were made to attract international business to New York.

"We just thought it was a great opportunity to exchange ideas as we do with all these...countries, and we want to attract businesses here," Adams said, according to The City. "So Turkey, as well as any other country, I want to attract people to the city. There's nothing specific about that one particular country.

"I just can't tell you how much I start the day with telling my team, 'We gotta follow the law. We gotta follow the law,' almost to the point that I'm annoying," he said.

"I just strongly believe you have to follow the law. It would really shock me if someone that was hired by my campaign did something that was inappropriate," Adams added.

Previous FBI Raids

Last month, the FBI raided the Brooklyn home of one of Adams' top fundraisers, Brianna Suggs. Suggs works as a campaign consultant and chief fundraiser for Adams, who hopes to be reelected in 2025.

She was reportedly at home when agents issued the search warrant but was not arrested.

Newsweek previously reached out to Suggs and the FBI for comment.

Suggs is not a City Hall employee but worked as an intern at Brooklyn Borough Hall in 2017 before leading Adams' political fundraising for the mayor's 2021 campaign. In his first mayoral campaign, Suggs earned $50,000 before being paid an additional $100,000 in the past two years, The New York Times reported.

"Realizing her interdisciplinary approach to project management, Brianna tends to focus on efficiency, critical thinking, and communication when problem-solving in her many roles," Suggs' personal website says.

The website also says that Suggs worked for New York State Assemblyman Al Taylor's reelection campaign, the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Hercules Reid's failed New York State Assembly bid and Miguelina Camilo's failed state Senate bid.

When the FBI raid occurred, Adams was heading to Washington, D.C., but abruptly turned around to drive back to New York City. A spokesperson for the mayor told news outlets that it was to "deal with a matter."

The raid follows other legal issues involving the city of New York.

In September, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg issued an indictment against former New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich, a one-time confidant of Adams, in connection with an investigation into a bribery scheme.

Ulrich has been charged with accepting money and gifts for favors from high-ranking Adams administration employees, Newsweek previously reported.

Adams, a former police officer, campaigned as a tough-on-crime Democrat aiming to improve funding for the New York Police Department. Adams has already raised more than $2 million for his reelection campaign, according to NBC New York.