Adams hit with subpoenas in federal probe

(The Center Square) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams' office has been hit with a new batch of subpoenas as part of an ongoing federal investigation into his 2021 campaign.

Adams, who is attending the Democratic National Convention this week, confirmed in an interview over the weekend that he has received subpoenas as part of a year-long corruption investigation looking into his 2021 campaign’s ties to Turkey.

"Like previous administrations that have gone through subpoenas you participate and cooperate," Adams, a Democrat, told ABC News in a pre-taped interview that aired Sunday. "You see the subpoena and you respond. At the end of the day, it will show there is no criminality here."

The request for additional information from the U.S. attorney’s office, first reported by the New York Times, is the latest development in the investigation examining whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to funnel illegal foreign donations to his election efforts.

Adams’ attorney, Brendan McGuire, said the campaign has been conducting its own investigation by reviewing documents and interviewing workers and has uncovered no wrongdoing.

“To be clear, we have not identified any evidence of illegal conduct by the mayor,” McGuire said in a statement. "To the contrary, we have identified extensive evidence undermining the reported theories of federal prosecution as to the mayor, which we have voluntarily shared with the U.S. attorney."

City Hall spokesman Fabien Levy said the mayor is cooperating with federal prosecutors and his campaign in the process of responding to the subpoenas.

"As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has been clear over the last nine months that he will cooperate with any investigation underway. Nothing has changed," Levy said in a statement. "He expects everyone to cooperate to swiftly bring this investigation to a close."

Federal agents raided the home of Breanna Suggs in early November as part of an investigation into whether Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign conspired with a Brooklyn-based construction company to funnel foreign money into the campaign by way of a straw donor scheme. Suggs served as a chief fundraiser for Adams’s 2021 campaign.

Shortly after, FBI agents reportedly stopped Adams on the street with a search warrant for his phone and other electronic devices, which they seized and later returned to the mayor's office.

Another Adams aide who worked as a liaison to the Turkish community, Rana Abbasova, was also hit with a search warrant by the FBI and is now cooperating with federal authorities.

The Adams campaign raised more than $8.9 million for his 2021 mayoral election, and collected more than $10 million in public funds, the largest amount of any citywide candidate in that election cycle, according to the board. He has defended Suggs as a top fundraiser for his campaign.

Adams has set up a legal fund to solicit contributions for his defense. Under campaign finance rules, he can use the fund to raise money for legal fees without violating city laws on receiving gifts. The mayor can accept contributions of up to $5,000 for legal fees, but donors must be disclosed. City employees are prohibited from donating to the fund.

Adams faces several challengers in next year's Democratic primary, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who announced his candidacy earlier this month.