Several members of the administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams are facing federal investigations for a variety of potential crimes including accepting straw donors, corruption, bribery, and more. Adams himself has yet to be implicated in any potential crimes, though his 2021 campaign is being investigated. The investigations are being run, separately, by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Southern District of New York.
FBI investigation into 2021 mayoral campaign
Background
Adams's fundraising efforts have attracted scrutiny. In 2018, real estate developer David Schwartz met with Adams, then-borough president of Brooklyn, and donated to his campaign. Adams endorsed zoning changes sought by Slate Property Group, Schwartz's company, to construct a skyscraper taller than as allowed by zoning laws.[1] In May 2021, employees of the Brooklyn construction firm KSK Construction donated a total of US$14,000 to Adams's mayoral campaign, allowing the campaign to qualify for US$18,000 in public matching funds. According to Politico, of the firm's eleven employees, ten had not made a prior political donation; co-owner Erden Arkan last donated to former Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz's campaign in 2009.[2]
Adams has boasted his support for Turkey, stating that no other mayor in New York City history had visited the country as much as he did.[3] In August 2015, the consulate-general of Turkey paid for Adams's trip to the country. After securing the Democratic mayoral primary in July, Adams urged then-fire commissioner Daniel A. Nigro to allow the government of Turkey to occupy the Turkish House; the New York City Fire Department declined to sign off on the building, citing fire safety issues.[4] During his borough presidency, Adams met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[5]
Investigation
In spring 2023,[4] the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York[6] began a corruption investigation into alleged straw donors from the government of Turkey through construction company KSK Construction to the Adams's 2021 campaign.
On November 2, 2023, investigators raided the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, Adams's chief fundraiser. The search warrant, obtained by The New York Times, states agents seized three iPhones, two laptops, contribution card binders, and other documents.[3] The Federal Bureau of Investigation searched a dozen locations that day,[7] including the residence of former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Öcal and international affairs aide Rana Abbasova.[8] On November 3, investigators questioned Nigro over the Turkish House.[4] Days after the raid at Suggs's home, the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized at least two of Adams's cellphones and an iPad. Adams's campaign cooperated with the FBI's request.[9] The New York Times initially reported the seizures.[6]
On April 5, the Times reported that the FBI is investigating flight upgrades Adams purportedly received on Turkish Airlines flights.[10] In July, investigators served grand jury subpoenas.[11]
NYPD, Caban brothers possible investigation
Federal agents, at the direction of the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, seized the phone of New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban. The probe focuses on nightclub protection services owned by Caban's twin brother, James Caban, who was fired from the NYPD in 2001 and also had his phone seized.[12] Edward Caban resigned on September 12, at the request of the Adams administration.[13] According to Caban's lawyers, he has been told he is not a subject of investigation.[14]
Banks brothers bribery and corruption investigation
The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York is investigating a possible bribery scheme focusing on the consulting firm of Terence Banks, the brother of Philip Banks III, deputy mayor of New York City for public safety, and David C. Banks, the schools chancellor. Philip and David oversee agencies that have received contracts with Terence's company, The Pearl Alliance. All three brothers have had their phones seized.[15][12]
In September 2024, search warrants were served to employees of SaferWatch– a client company of The Pearl Alliance– in relation to the possible corruption investigation.[16] The New York City Police Department paid SaferWatch more than $67,000 since August 2023 for "school safety" services[17].
Winnie Greco investigation
On February 29, 2024, The New York Times reported that the FBI searched two houses owned by Winnie Greco, Adams's Asian affairs advisor.[18][19] Greco was also a prominent fundraiser for Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign. The investigation is being conducted by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.[12]
Other phone seizures
Timothy Pearson, a retired police inspector, and a senior advisor to Adams had his phone seized by federal agents. It's unclear what investigation Pearson's phone seizure relates to.[15]
The phone of Sheena Wright, the deputy mayor and fiancé of David Banks, was also seized.[15]
Reactions
Eric Adams
Adams canceled several meetings at the White House to discuss the New York City migrant housing crisis following the raid. At a Day of the Dead celebration at Gracie Mansion that night, Adams stated that his campaign was up to the "highest ethical standards".[3] Adams denied the accusations at a press conference at New York City Hall press conference the following week, disclosing that he had retained the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.[20]
Following a report from The New York Times that Adams was being investigated over the construction of the Turkish House, Adams further denied wrongdoing[21] and assured that he would continue to cooperate with investigators.[22] Adams and the City Hall's chief counsel requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation cease leaks of its investigation.[23]
Democratic Party
Brooklyn Democratic Party chairwoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn questioned if the inquiry was related to Adams' race.[24] State senator Leroy Comrie called the investigation a witch hunt.[25]
Republican Party
Representative Brandon Williams accused the investigation of being a "weaponization of the justice system" against Adams' critical comments towards president Joe Biden. New York City Council minority leader Joe Borelli defended Adams on Twitter.[25]
Media analysis
The New York Post's editorial board questioned if the investigation could be political retribution. Politico compared the rhetoric among Adams's supporters with Donald Trump's supporters.[25]
See also
- John Liu, a New York City mayoral candidate accused of using straw donors in 2013.
References
Further reading
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