Federal prosecutors and the FBI have been investigating whether New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 election campaign took illegal foreign donations from the Turkish government, according to a search warrant obtained by the New York Times.
The details were emerging following an FBI raid Thursday on the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, Adams’ campaign consultant and top fundraiser.
While the investigation targets Adams’ election campaign, there is no indication that the mayor, himself, is a target, and he is not accused of any wrongdoing. Adams told reporters Thursday evening that he had not been contacted by any law enforcement officials, though he pledged to cooperate in any inquiry.
Even so, the raid on Suggs’ home apparently prompted the mayor to abruptly cancel several meetings scheduled for Thursday morning in Washington DC, where he had planned to talk with White House officials and members of Congress about the influx of migrants in New York and other pressing issues.
Investigators were seeking to learn more about the potential involvement of a Brooklyn construction company with ties to Turkey, along with a small Washington DC university with ties to both Adams and Turkey.
According to the Times-obtained search warrant, investigators were focused on whether the mayor’s campaign kicked back benefits to the construction company’s officials and employees, as well as to Turkish officials.
During Thursday’s raid, agents from the FBI’s New York public corruption squads seized three iPhones and two laptop computers, along with papers and other evidence, including what agents called a “manila folder labeled Eric Adams” and seven “contribution card binders.”
At an event at the mayor’s Manhattan residence, Gracie Mansion, on Thursday evening, Adams defended his campaign, saying he held it to “the highest ethical standards.”
Adams’ fundraising machine has already raised more than $2.5 million for his 2025 reelection campaign, at least $900,000 of which Suggs has claimed to be responsible. She has further claimed to have personally raised $18.4 million for Adams’ initial 2021 mayoral campaign.
A Times source with knowledge of the raid said FBI agents questioned Suggs at her home during their search, though the Times could not reach Suggs for comment.
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