Federal investigators have issued subpoenas to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, City Hall, and Adams's election committee as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged foreign donations from the Turkish government.
According to the Washington Examiner, the subpoenas were served in July and seek various forms of communication, including text messages and emails, related to the mayor and his aides' travel and fundraising activities. The probe is focused on individuals who worked on Adams's 2021 campaign and those currently employed in City Hall.
The investigation, which has been underway for nearly a year, is examining claims that Adams's campaign received illegal foreign contributions.
The investigation alleges that Adams and his campaign accepted illegal foreign donations from the Turkish government. In exchange, the mayor allegedly expedited the approval process for Turkey's consulate in Manhattan through the fire department despite safety concerns. Additionally, investigators are looking into free flight upgrades Adams received from Turkish Airlines.
These allegations have prompted federal authorities to delve deeper into the mayor's interactions with Turkish officials and any potential quid pro quo arrangements. The subpoenas are part of the effort to gather evidence and clarify the nature of these relationships. The scope of the investigation extends beyond the mayor himself, encompassing his campaign staff and City Hall employees. This broad approach suggests that investigators are casting a wide net to understand the full extent of any potential improprieties.
In response to the allegations, Mayor Adams's lawyers, Brendan McGuire and Boyd Johnson III, have issued a statement to ABC News asserting the mayor's innocence. They claim that their own investigation has not uncovered any evidence of illegal conduct by the mayor.
McGuire and Johnson stated:
Our investigation has included an evaluation of campaign documents, an analysis of tens of thousands of electronic communications, and witness interviews. To be clear, we have not identified any evidence of illegal conduct by the Mayor. To the contrary, we have identified extensive evidence undermining the reported theories of federal prosecution as to the Mayor, which we have voluntarily shared with the U.S. Attorney. We continue to cooperate with the investigation and are in the process of responding to the recently issued subpoenas. We continue to look forward to a prompt and just resolution of this investigation.
The investigation entered the public spotlight nine months ago, potentially impacting Mayor Adams's political standing. He currently faces low approval ratings and has three Democratic challengers for his 2025 re-election bid.
However, it's worth noting that similar investigations don't always lead to charges. Adams's predecessor, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, also faced federal and state criminal investigations related to campaign fundraising. De Blasio was not charged and went on to win re-election in 2017.
This precedent suggests that the current investigation into Mayor Adams may not necessarily result in formal charges. The outcome of the probe could have significant implications for Adams's political future and the broader landscape of New York City politics.
Fabien Levy, the deputy mayor for communications, has reiterated Mayor Adams's commitment to cooperating with the investigation. In a statement to ABC News, Levy emphasized the mayor's background in law enforcement and his consistent stance on cooperation over the past nine months.
Levy stated, "As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has been clear over the last nine months that he will cooperate with any investigation underway. Nothing has changed. He expects everyone to cooperate to swiftly bring this investigation to a close."
In conclusion, federal investigators have issued subpoenas to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, City Hall, and his election committee in connection with allegations of illegal foreign donations from the Turkish government. The investigation is examining claims of quid pro quo arrangements involving the approval of Turkey's Manhattan consulate and free flight upgrades. Mayor Adams's legal team denies any wrongdoing, while his office maintains a stance of full cooperation with the investigation.
