In the wake of revelations that he was personally subpoenaed by federal prosecutors investigating him and his campaign, Mayor Adams said Friday he believes evidence collected as part of the probe will show he “did nothing wrong.”
“We’ve been extremely transparent about making sure if there are documents that’s looked at, they want to see text messages or any other items, we’re going to turn it over and walk away I believe showing that I did nothing wrong,” Adams, a former NYPD captain, said in an appearance on “The Reset Talk Show,” a politically-friendly radio program he regularly appears on.
“I am a former law enforcement person, I believe in following the rules, and I’ve stated over and over again and our team knows that we’re going to turn over any information that is needed to come to a swift conclusion.”
News broke late Thursday that Manhattan federal prosecutors investigating Adams’ 2021 campaign ties to Turkey’s government issued grand jury subpoenas to the mayor directly last month seeking text messages and other records about his fundraising activities and travels to the Middle Eastern country.
In addition to Adams himself, the feds issued grand jury subpoenas last month to his City Hall office and his campaign, seeking similar records, as first reported by the New York Times and confirmed by the Daily News.
The moves by the feds come after FBI agents stopped Adams in the street in November to seize his cellphones and other electronics as part of the same investigation. A few days before that, the feds had raided the homes of several close associates to the mayor, including Brianna Suggs, his longtime chief political fundraiser.
The mayor hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing. In Friday’s radio appearance, Adams vowed he always adheres to the law.
“I’ve strongly stated that I comply with rules,” he said.
Federal grand juries have the power to issue subpoenas seeking both records and testimony. They can also bring indictments, though it remains unclear whether anyone will be charged in the Adams campaign investigation.
A spokesman for the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office, which is leading the Adams campaign probe, declined to comment.
The investigation is scrutinizing whether Turkey’s government pumped illegal foreign money into the mayor’s 2021 campaign coffers, according to sources familiar with the matter. The probe is also looking into the mayor’s effort to help resolve fire safety violations at Turkey’s consulate in Manhattan as well as his reported acceptance of free upgrades on Turkish Airlines flights.
In a previously unknown detail, The Times reported the Turkey probe started in 2021 before Adams became mayor. The newspaper also reported that the probe appears to be nearing its conclusion.
Originally Published:
