NEW YORK, NY - Thursday morning started with mutliple mayors from around the country meeting in Washington, DC to discuss the immigration crisis with White House staff and members of Congress. Just before those meetings were to begin, New York City Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from participating and rushed home to "deal with an issue," according to a spokesperson. While his office denies any knowledge of it, the issue he allegedly left for was an FBI raid of his senior fundraiser, Brianna Suggs.
She was only 23 years old when she led the effort to fundraise in his first mayoral candidacy. Suggs has already stockpiled $2.5M in advance of his re-election bid in 2025.
Suggs has not yet been accused of any wrongdoing. The raid is believed to be centered around concerns that Adams' campaign may have received illegal donations from the Turkish government and Turkish nationals.
According to Politico, the FBI investigation stems from the possibility that money from Turkey is being funneled through a New York construction company, KSK Construction, and then donated to the campaign.
In discussing the raid, as opposed to a subpoena, Paul Tachmann, former acting chief of the Public Integrity section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, said that it points to the U.S. Attorney’s office believing “there’s a reasonable probability” that Suggs was involved in a crime, “or at the very least, has knowledge of other people’s wrongdoing.”
“The fact that they’re executing a search warrant shows to me that the investigation is ongoing, and they don’t necessarily know yet where it’s going to end,” he said. “Whether it’s with donors or people on the donor side, or also with people on the campaign side.”
Charles Kretchmer Lutvak, a mayoral spokesman said that he had no knowledge of the raid.
“The mayor is returning to New York City to address a matter,” Mr. Lutvak said in an email from DNYUZ when asked why Mr. Adams was suddenly returning to the city. “These meetings will be rescheduled as soon as possible.”
In a follow-up email, Lutvak was asked if the matter was a personal or city business, he refused to elaborate.
It is unknown whether Suggs is suspected of having knowleledge of any illegal activity. But this is not the first time these acusations have been levied against Adams' campaign, coording to the New York Times.
But Adams denies any knowledge of illegal contributions. In an email statement Adams said he was "outraged and angry if anyone attempted to use the campaign to manipulate our democracy and defraud our campaign. I want to be clear, I have no knowledge, direct or otherwise, of any improper fundraising activity — and certainly not of any foreign money. We will of course work with officials to respond to inquiries, as appropriate — as we always have.”
While many question the decision to hire a young and seemingly inexperienced person to lead the financial dealings of the mayoral campaign in the largest US city, Adams is defending his hiring Suggs.
Politico gave one prominent donor anonimity to speak about the situation.
"She was very, very young. What turned some heads is that she was running the whole operation of that campaign, the finance part of it, and she was so young and inexperienced," the donor stated.
Adams spoke with PIX 11 on Friday and reaffirmned his belief in her and the role she plays.
She was only 23 years old when she led the effort to fundraise in his first mayoral candidacy. Suggs has already stockpiled $2.5M in advance of his re-election bid in 2025.
Suggs has not yet been accused of any wrongdoing. The raid is believed to be centered around concerns that Adams' campaign may have received illegal donations from the Turkish government and Turkish nationals.
According to Politico, the FBI investigation stems from the possibility that money from Turkey is being funneled through a New York construction company, KSK Construction, and then donated to the campaign.
In discussing the raid, as opposed to a subpoena, Paul Tachmann, former acting chief of the Public Integrity section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, said that it points to the U.S. Attorney’s office believing “there’s a reasonable probability” that Suggs was involved in a crime, “or at the very least, has knowledge of other people’s wrongdoing.”
“The fact that they’re executing a search warrant shows to me that the investigation is ongoing, and they don’t necessarily know yet where it’s going to end,” he said. “Whether it’s with donors or people on the donor side, or also with people on the campaign side.”
Charles Kretchmer Lutvak, a mayoral spokesman said that he had no knowledge of the raid.
“The mayor is returning to New York City to address a matter,” Mr. Lutvak said in an email from DNYUZ when asked why Mr. Adams was suddenly returning to the city. “These meetings will be rescheduled as soon as possible.”
In a follow-up email, Lutvak was asked if the matter was a personal or city business, he refused to elaborate.
It is unknown whether Suggs is suspected of having knowleledge of any illegal activity. But this is not the first time these acusations have been levied against Adams' campaign, coording to the New York Times.
But Adams denies any knowledge of illegal contributions. In an email statement Adams said he was "outraged and angry if anyone attempted to use the campaign to manipulate our democracy and defraud our campaign. I want to be clear, I have no knowledge, direct or otherwise, of any improper fundraising activity — and certainly not of any foreign money. We will of course work with officials to respond to inquiries, as appropriate — as we always have.”
While many question the decision to hire a young and seemingly inexperienced person to lead the financial dealings of the mayoral campaign in the largest US city, Adams is defending his hiring Suggs.
Politico gave one prominent donor anonimity to speak about the situation.
"She was very, very young. What turned some heads is that she was running the whole operation of that campaign, the finance part of it, and she was so young and inexperienced," the donor stated.
Adams spoke with PIX 11 on Friday and reaffirmned his belief in her and the role she plays.
“She a very bright, energetic, smart young lady who worked hard,” Adams said. “I feel confidence in her integrity and how hard she works. And often young African American ladies don’t get the opportunities that others receive in this business of politics. I have full confidence in her. She has done an amazing job. She will stay with the campaign team and I would love for her to stay with the campaign team."
As part of that interview, he ackowledged that he did return to New York because of the raid.
“I was notified by the team that something was taking place with the campaign staffer, and I wanted to be here to make sure we fully complied. I have one of the best compliance teams that any campaign has ever had,” Adams said.
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Comments
2023-11-05T14:56-0500 | Comment by: Robert
This is what The Democrat Communist Criminal Terrorist Organization, are known for this type of activity.
2023-11-06T06:47-0500 | Comment by: Francis
He has proven to be another unqualified buffoon of the demoncrat party
2023-11-06T07:38-0500 | Comment by: Ed
No big deal he and she is black so nothing will happen. New norm don't charge democrats or black people. Our FBI is on top, or under, it.
2023-11-06T07:38-0500 | Comment by: Ed
No big deal he and she is black so nothing will happen. New norm don't charge democrats or black people. Our FBI is on top, or under, it.