FBI agents entered the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and seized his phone early Thursday morning, just hours before a criminal indictment against the Democrat was due to be made public.
Adams was indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges that remain sealed, according to two people familiar with the case who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
“Federal agents appeared this morning at Gracie Mansion in an effort to create a spectacle (again) and take Mayor Adams phone (again),” Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, said adding that the mayor had not been arrested. “They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have happily turned it in.”
The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan has declined to comment on the investigation. An FBI spokesperson also declined to comment. A spokesperson for the mayor did not immediately respond to questions Thursday morning.
FILE—New York City mayor Eric Adams speaks to members of the press at a news conference in New York, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. FBI agents entered the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and seized his phone early Thursday morning.
Seth Wenig
In a video speech released on Wednesday night, Adams vowed to fight any charges against him, claiming he had been made a “target” in a case “based on lies.”
“I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit,” he said.
Adams also said that he would “request an immediate trial so that New Yorkers can hear the truth,” while rejecting calls to resign and asking residents for their “prayers and patience.”
The mayor also suggested, without evidence, that he was being investigated because he “began to speak out for all” New Yorkers.
It was not clear what laws Adams is accused of breaking or when he might appear in court.
The indictment caps off an extraordinary few weeks in the case involving the Mayor in New York City, as federal investigators have targeted members of Adams’ inner circle though raids and subpoenas which have led to high-level resignations including NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and Adams’ chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg earlier this month.
Federal prosecutors are believed to be leading multiple inquiries involving Adams and his senior aides, relatives of those aides, campaign fundraising and possible influencing of the police and fire departments.
FBI agents had seized Adams’ electronic devices nearly a year ago as part of an investigation focused, at least partly, on campaign contributions and Adams’ interactions with the Turkish government. Because the charges were sealed, it was unknown whether they dealt with those same matters.
In early September, federal investigators seized devices from his police commissioner, schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and other trusted confidants both in and out of City Hall.
All have denied wrongdoing.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
