Cell phone of New York mayor confiscated
New York's mayor is foregoing a trip to Washington because he and his election campaign team are facing a corruption investigation. The former police officer emphasizes that he is not guilty of anything. The FBI confiscates his cell phones.
Agents of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have confiscated cell phones and other electronic devices belonging to New York Mayor Eric Adams. The seizure was part of an investigation into suspected corruption during Adams' 2021 election campaign, as reported by the New York Times. According to the report, Adams is said to have collaborated with the Turkish government during the campaign.
According to the newspaper, Adams was approached by the agents after an event on Monday, who then got into his car. The agents took the mayor's electronic devices, including two cell phones and an iPad, the newspaper reported, citing sources familiar with the case. The devices were returned to Adams a few days later.
Attorney Boyd Johnson told the AFP news agency: "On Monday night, the FBI approached the mayor after an event. The mayor immediately complied with the FBI's request and turned over the electronic devices." Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing and is cooperating with investigators, the lawyer added. Adams is an ex-police officer and member of the Democratic Party.
Raid on Adams' fundraiser
The investigation into the election campaign became public last week when FBI agents raided the home of Adams' former fundraiser Brianna Suggs and took laptops, cell phones and a folder labeled "Eric Adams".
According to the New York Times, the search was looking for evidence of a conspiracy between the mayor and Turkey. Authorities were looking into whether the Turkish government or Turkish nationals were funneling donations to Mr. Adams through a so-called straw man system in which the listed donors were not the actual source of the money. Adams canceled a trip to Washington after the seizure, where he was scheduled to meet with White House officials, and remained in New York.
Despite the returned cell phones, the corruption investigation against New York Mayor Eric Adams continues. This probe, initiated during his 2021 campaign, has sparked calls for justice and transparency in New York City's political landscape.
Source: www.ntv.de
