FBI seizes Eric Adams' phone

[GoTfan]

It seems to be part of an investigation into his fundraising:

https://abc7ny.com/eric-adams-nyc-mayor-fbi-phones-campaign/14040894/

Sources said investigators came to the mayor after the event on Monday to ask for all devices he had on his person, including an iPad and a phone

Later, the mayor's office turned over more devices. Most of the devices have been returned.

Adams has said he will fully cooperate with investigators who raided the home of the chief fundraiser for his 2021 campaign.

The investigation is exploring whether his campaign received illegal donations.

The focus of the investigation is if a Williamsburg construction company and a group of Turkish nationals may have made improper donations to the mayor's 2021 election campaign.

It also seems to be connected to a straw donor case and the former city buildings commissioner basically trading cash for favours:

Back in July, four people were charged in a scheme to raise money through straw donations for Adams' campaign. The defendants then intended to pressure the mayor's office for construction jobs.

Adams wasn't charged and a campaign spokesman said then "we would never tolerate these actions."

The former city buildings commissioner under Adams, Eric Ulrich, was also charged in September with using his position to dole out favors, including access to the mayor, in exchange for cash and other bribes.

Adams has distanced himself from both cases, which were brought in state court and did not directly implicate his campaign or administration.

[GoTfan]

any chance the extra funds were a deciding factor in the primary? he won by less than 1% after all.

Take note of the fact that neither Adams himself nor his administration are implicated.

[GoTfan]

any chance the extra funds were a deciding factor in the primary? he won by less than 1% after all.

Take note of the fact that neither Adams himself nor his administration are implicated.

It’s about collaboration and money funneling from Turkey for campaign financing.

And there is a case there, but trying to implicate Adams as responsible, when information has not yet said so, is not a great idea.

[GoTfan]

I notice that this matter didn't come to light until after Adams criticized the Biden Administration on illegal immigration.

This is a matter that has been investigated since at least July.

[GoTfan]

First in the line of succession is the NYC Public Advocate, right?

So there’s a chance this whole thing somehow turns into a Jumaane Williams come-back story.

The chance of him being indicted is not great, and the chance of him being removed from office less so.