NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams calls on FBI to stop leaks about his investigation in campaign financing.
It comes as new details emerge about text messages exchanged between the mayor and Turkey’s consul general.
Adams, along with City Hall’s chief legal counsel, spoke Sunday. They made new statements to CBS New York’s Marcia Kramer, who also spoke with several sources who confirmed new details.
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As the FBI investigates whether the 2021 mayor’s campaign diverted illegal foreign money from Turkey, sources told Kramer that one text in question concerns a new consular building on First Avenue, across from the United Nations.
In 2021, the Turkish consul general texted the mayor, who was then Brooklyn borough president, that it was difficult to obtain a certificate of occupancy and asked if he could l ‘examine. The mayor did not respond and instead forwarded the text to then-FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, asking him to look into the matter. Nigro responded to Adams a few days later to say the certificate would be sent so the facility could open, sources said.
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In a statement, the mayor said, “As borough president, part of my routine was to inform government agencies of issues on behalf of constituents and precincts. I have not been accused of wrongdoing and will continue to cooperate with investigators.
He reiterated those remarks to reporters Sunday morning, saying, “What I really hope is that these periodic leaks will stop. We are cooperating. We have to do this together so that all the facts can be revealed.”
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Additionally, City Hall Chief Legal Counsel Lisa Zornberg shared the following:
“The Mayor and our team continue to work with and cooperate with investigators. We hope that investigators will continue to cooperate with us and reprimand any federal agent who inappropriately discloses details of this investigation, as such conduct could lead to harm the public and undermine the integrity of our law enforcement process.
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THE The FBI seized the mayor’s phones and tablet two weeks ago and returned them a few days later.. According to several Kramer sources, the FBI interviewed Nigro, then the FDNY commissioner, and other members of the department, but that was before they took the mayor’s electronic devices.
“It’s not about asking the commissioner for a particular outcome. It’s just about expressing one person’s concern. You can read implications into it, but, again, it’s something that elected officials do it all the time,” said political expert David Birdsell, provost of Kean University. .
“Just because his iPhone and iPad were seized by the FBI doesn’t mean he’s the target. It means they think there’s information on those devices,” said analyst Jessica Levinson legal at CBS News.
Sources said the City Hall and Mayor Adams campaign conducted an internal investigation and discovered that an individual had acted inappropriately. This person has been reported to the FBI and is not part of the mayor’s immediate entourage.
Again, the mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
CBS New York has attempted to reach the Turkish consul general for comment, but has so far been unsuccessful.