FBI investigation into Eric Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign

In spring 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York began a corruption investigation into alleged straw donors from the government of Turkey through construction company KSK Construction to the 2021 campaign of New York City mayor Eric Adams.

Background
Adams's fundraising efforts have attracted scrutiny. In 2018, real estate developer David Schwartz met with Adams, then-borough president of Brooklyn, and donated to his campaign. Adams endorsed zoning changes sought by Slate Property Group, Schwartz's company, to construct a skyscraper taller than as allowed by zoning laws. In May 2021, employees of the Brooklyn construction firm KSK Construction donated a total of US$14000 to Adams's mayoral campaign, allowing the campaign to qualify for US$18000 in public matching funds. According to Politico, of the firm's eleven employees, ten had not made a prior political donation; co-owner Erden Arkan last donated to former Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz's campaign in 2009.

Adams has boasted his support for Turkey, stating that no other mayor in New York City history had visited the country as much as he did. In August 2015, the consulate-general of Turkey paid for Adams's trip to the country. After securing the Democratic mayoral primary in July, Adams urged then-fire commissioner Daniel A. Nigro to allow the government of Turkey to occupy the Turkish House; the New York City Fire Department declined to sign off on the building, citing fire safety issues. During his borough presidency, Adams met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Investigation
On November 2, 2023, investigators raided the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, Adams's chief fundraiser. The search warrant, obtained by The New York Times, states agents seized three iPhones, two laptops, contribution card binders, and other documents. The Federal Bureau of Investigation searched a dozen locations that day, including the residence of former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Öcal and international affairs aide Rana Abbasova. On November 3, investigators questioned Nigro over the Turkish House. Days after the raid at Suggs's home, the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized at least two of Adams's cellphones and an iPad. Adams's campaign cooperated with the FBI's request. The New York Times initially reported the seizures.

On February 29, 2024, The New York Times reported that the FBI searched two houses owned by Winnie Greco, Adams's Asian affairs advisor. On April 5, the Times reported that the FBI is investigating flight upgrades Adams purportedly received on Turkish Airlines flights.

Eric Adams
Adams canceled several meetings at the White House to discuss the New York City migrant housing crisis following the raid. At a Day of the Dead celebration at Gracie Mansion that night, Adams stated that his campaign was up to the "highest ethical standards". Adams denied the accusations at a press conference at New York City Hall press conference the following week, disclosing that he had retained the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.

Following a report from The New York Times that Adams was being investigated over the construction of the Turkish House, Adams further denied wrongdoing and assured that he would continue to cooperate with investigators. Adams and the City Hall's chief counsel requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation cease leaks of its investigation.

Democratic Party
Brooklyn Democratic Party chairwoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn questioned if the inquiry was related to Adams' race. State senator Leroy Comrie called the investigation a witch hunt.

Republican Party
Representative Brandon Williams accused the investigation of being a "weaponization of the justice system" against Adams' critical comments towards president Joe Biden. New York City Council minority leader Joe Borelli defended Adams on Twitter.

Media analysis
The New York Post's editorial board questioned if the investigation could be political retribution. Politico compared the rhetoric among Adams's supporters with Donald Trump's supporters.