What to Know
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams responded questions amid an ongoing federal investigation into his 2021 campaign fundraising, including his past contact with the FDNY regarding permit issues for a new building that was set to house the new Turkish consulate.
- His chief counsel did say there was no information to suggest Adams is a target of the criminal investigation
- Questions continue to swirl about whether the mayor’s campaign improperly took foreign money from individuals overseas in Turkey – donations that may have been improperly bundled
New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared that “we follow the law” but deflected key questions amid an ongoing federal investigation into his 2021 campaign fundraising, including his past contact with the FDNY regarding permit issues for a new building that was set to house the new Turkish consulate.
At Tuesday's press conference, the mayor kept many of his answers in connection with the criminal investigation limited. Adams insisted that he is cooperating with federal investigators in what he called a "review," but would not speculate on its outcome. He and his chief counsel repeatedly told reporters they were not going to answer questions about why the FBI seized his phones, because they did not want to impede the ongoing criminal investigation.
Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg did say there was no information to suggest Adams is a target of the criminal investigation or accused of any wrongdoing, noting that "there has been no indication that I’ve seen that the mayor is a target."
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When asked if he would resign should he be indicted, Adams said he would not speculate on that.
"You are all the way downfield, I'm going to continue to do the job as the mayor as long as [it's] my responsibility to do the job," said Adams.
Adams and Zornberg declined to say whether other administration or campaign figures' electronics were turned over, whether the FBI had asked to interview the mayor, or who or what another Adams attorney meant in saying last week that "an individual had recently acted improperly."
Questions continue to swirl about whether the mayor’s campaign improperly took foreign money from individuals overseas in Turkey – donations that may have been improperly bundled.
The mayor said he does not believe his campaign or members of his staff engaged in any criminal wrongdoing, noting that he repeatedly tells his team they need to follow the law.
“We don’t do the straw donors. We don’t, you know, do quid pro quo. We follow the law. I’m very clear on that,” Adams said Tuesday.
Adams did confirm that as mayor-elect, he made a request on behalf of the Turkish government, reaching out to then-FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro to ask him to help expedite the opening of the new Turkish consulate. Sources familiar with the matter told NBC New York that Adams asked Nigro about occupancy testing for the 35-story building could take place.
"Yes I did reach out to the commissioner — this is what elected officials do. When a constituency reaches out to us for assistance to another agency…you reach out to another agency and ask them to look into the matter. You don’t reach out to compel them to do anything, because I had no authority to do so, I was the borough president," Adams said.“We don’t do the straw donors. We don’t, you know, do quid pro quo. We follow the law. I’m very clear on that,” Adams said Tuesday.
Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said Adams forwarded a Sept. 2021 text requesting help from the Turkish consulate to Nigro asking the fire commissioner to take a look at the issue. Nigro responded later saying a letter allowing occupancy would be handled by the following Monday, the sources said.
Adams said his text to the fire commissioner was a routine request and there was no undue pressure nor quid pro quo. He said he did not speak with any other fire department official. At the time, Adams had just won the Democratic primary election and was Brooklyn borough president at the time the text messages were sent.
"As a borough president, part of my routine role was to notify government agencies of issues on behalf of constituents and constituencies. I have not been accused of wrongdoing and I will continue to cooperate with investigators," Adams previously said through a campaign spokesperson.
A source familiar with the matter said former FDNY Commissioner Nigro was questioned as a witness by the FBI as least twice, most recently on Nov. 3. Reached by phone, Nigro said, "I prefer not to comment at this time."
Two sources familiar with the investigation said safety officials at the FDNY signed off on a letter of occupancy with no objection, meaning the FDNY had reached an agreement with the building for added safety measures that would allow for access to the building.
According to The New York Times, a fire protection consultant working on the Turkevi Center reported numerous deficiencies involving smoke detectors, elevators, doors and other components used to prevent fires. After the consultant, Sparc Fire Protection Engineering, said guards would be put on a fire watch until all the issues were resolved, the fire department issued a temporary certificate allowing the building to be occupied.
The sources added that the owners of the building wanted to gain access in part because Turkish leaders were soon coming to New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Days later, on Sept. 21, 2021, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cut the ribbon on the Turkevi Center.
Spokespersons for the U.S. attorney's office, the FBI and the DOI have declined to comment. A spokesperson for the FDNY also declined to comment. The Turkish Embassy in Washington has not responded to email requests for comment.
The Turkish Consulate building, known as the Turkevi Center, along First Avenue still has temporary certificate of occupancy, sources familiar with the matter said.
The questions came as the FBI was already investigating whether Turkish individuals improperly donated, or were involved in the improper bundling of contributions, to the Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign.
Adams has made numerous trips to Turkey in recent years and the timing of the consulate’s opening coincided with a visit to New York by Turkish President Erdogan.
On Nov. 2, the FBI searched the home of top campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs, who has not been accused of wrongdoing. The development prompted Adams to bail out of a scheduled White House meeting and fly home from Washington, later explaining he wanted to be among his staffers because “a leader needs to be here during those difficult times.”
Part of the investigation focuses on whether money from overseas was improperly bundled into the mayor’s 2021 campaign. Investigators are also looking into donations from people associated with KSK construction, a firm whose owners have ties to Turkey.
As he was leaving an event, the FBI seized Mayor Adams' cellphones on Nov. 6 in connection with the criminal investigation.
No criminal charges have been filed in the matter and the investigation is ongoing.
