What to Know
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams responded questions amid an ongoing federal investigation into his 2021 campaign fundraising, including his past contact with the FDNY regarding permit issues for a new building that was set to house the new Turkish consulate.
- His chief counsel did say there was no information to suggest Adams is a target of the criminal investigation
- Questions continue to swirl about whether the mayor’s campaign improperly took foreign money from individuals overseas in Turkey – donations that may have been improperly bundled
New York City Mayor Eric Adams responded to questions amid an ongoing federal investigation into his 2021 campaign fundraising, including his past contact with the FDNY regarding permit issues for a new building that was set to house the new Turkish consulate.
At Tuesday’s press conference, the mayor kept many of his answers in connection with the criminal investigation limited. Adams insisted that he is cooperating with federal investigators, but he and his chief counsel repeatedly told reporters they were not going to answer questions about why the FBI seized his phones, because they did not want to impede the ongoing criminal investigation.
His chief counsel did say there was no information to suggest Adams is a target of the criminal investigation.
Questions continue to swirl about whether the mayor’s campaign improperly took foreign money from individuals overseas in Turkey – donations that may have been improperly bundled.
The mayor said he does not believe his campaign or members of his staff engaged in any criminal wrongdoing, noting that he repeatedly tells his team they need to follow the law.
Adams did confirm that as mayor-elect, he made a request on behalf of the Turkish government, reaching out to then-FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro to ask him to help expedite the opening of the new Turkish consulate. Sources familiar with the matter told NBC New York that Adams asked Nigro about occupancy testing for the 35-story building could take place.
Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said Adams forwarded a Sept. 2021 text requesting help from the Turkish consulate to Nigro asking the fire commissioner to take a look at the issue. Nigro responded later saying a letter allowing occupancy would be handled by the following Monday, the sources said.
Adams said his text to the fire commissioner was a routine request and there was no undue pressure nor quid pro quo. He said he did not speak with any other fire department official. At the time, Adams had just won the Democratic primary election and was Brooklyn borough president at the time the text messages were sent.
“As a borough president, part of my routine role was to notify government agencies of issues on behalf of constituents and constituencies. I have not been accused of wrongdoing and I will continue to cooperate with investigators,” Adams previously said through a campaign spokesperson.
The mayor ignoed questions from the media after the FBI seized two of his phones and an iPad last week. News 4’s Melissa Russo reports.
A source familiar with the matter said former FDNY Commissioner Nigro was questioned as a witness by the FBI as least twice, most recently on Nov. 3. Reached by phone, Nigro said, “I prefer not to comment at this time.”
Two sources familiar with the investigation said safety officials at the FDNY signed off on a letter of occupancy with no objection, meaning the FDNY had reached an agreement with the building for added safety measures that would allow for access to the building.
The sources added that the owners of the building wanted to gain access in part because Turkish leaders were soon coming to New York for the U.N. General Assembly.
Spokespersons for the U.S. attorney, the FBI and the DOI have declined to comment. A spokesperson for the FDNY also declined to comment. The Turkish Embassy in Washington has not responded to email requests for comment.
The Turkish Consulate building, known as the Turkevi Center, along First Avenue still has temporary certificate of occupancy, sources familiar with the matter said.
The FBI has seized electronic devices belonging to NYC Mayor Eric Adams as part of a corruption investigation. News 4’s Jonathan Dienst reports.
The questions came as the FBI was already investigating whether Turkish individuals improperly donated, or were involved in the improper bundling of contributions, to the Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign.
Adams has made numerous trips to Turkey in recent years and the timing of the consulate’s opening coincided with a visit to New York by Turkish President Erdogan.
On Nov. 2, the FBI searched the home of top campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs. Part of the investigation focuses on whether money from overseas was improperly bundled into the mayor’s 2021 campaign. Investigators are also looking into donations from people associated with KSK construction, a firm whose owners have ties to Turkey.
The FBI seized Mayor Adams’ cellphones on Nov. 6 in connection with the criminal investigation.
No criminal charges have been filed in the matter and the investigation is ongoing.
