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In a significant escalation in a criminal investigation<\/a> into New York Mayor Eric Adams\u2019s<\/strong> victorious 2021 campaign, Federal Bureau of Investigation investigators seized at least two cell phones and an iPad from the mayor early last week, The New York Times<\/em> reported<\/a> Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n The investigation, which concerns whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to solicit illegal donations via a Brooklyn-based construction company, burst into public view earlier this month when FBI agents raided the Crown Heights apartment of a former Adams intern and current chief fund-raiser, Brianna Suggs<\/strong>. The agents seized two laptops, three iPhones, a manila folder labeled \u201cEric Adams,\u201d seven \u201ccontribution card binders,\u201d and other physical materials, according to the search warrant obtained<\/a> by the Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n On Friday, Adams\u2019s lawyer, Boyd Johnson<\/strong>, said in a statement that the mayor was cooperating with the FBI and had \u201cproactively reported\u201d at least one person who engaged in improper behavior. The statement did not say whether the reported conduct was related to the FBI seizure of Adams\u2019 devices. Johnson said that Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing and \u201cimmediately complied with the FBI\u2019s request and provided them with electronic devices.\u201d<\/p>\n In his statement, the mayor said, \u201cAs a former member of law enforcement, I expect all members of my staff to follow the law and fully cooperate with any sort of investigation \u2014 and I will continue to do exactly that.\u201d Adams added that he had \u201cnothing to hide.\u201d<\/p>\n According to a source who spoke to the NYT, FBI agents climbed into Adams\u2019s SUV after an event early last week and executed the search warrant. The cell phones and iPad were returned to the mayor after a few days, but investigators had the legal authority to copy data on seized devices.<\/p>\n On Wednesday\u2014two days after the FBI had seized his devices, and two days before the seizure was reported to the public\u2014Adams said<\/a> he would be \u201cshocked\u201d if anyone on his campaign had done anything wrong. \u201cI cannot tell you how much I start the day with telling my team, \u2018We gotta follow the law. Gotta follow the law,\u2019\u201d Adams said. \u201cAlmost to the point that I\u2019m annoying.\u201d<\/p>\n When reporters asked whether the mayor was in touch with investigators following the raid of Suggs\u2019s apartment, another Adams lawyer, Lisa Zornberg,<\/strong> preemptively answered the question. \u201cThe answer is yes, of course we are,\u201d Zornberg told reporters. \u201cThe mayor has pledged his cooperation, and we\u2019ve been in touch.\u201d Zornberg failed to mention the FBI search.<\/p>\n During Wednesday\u2019s press conference, Adams said<\/a> he\u2019d met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan<\/strong> just once, when the two \u201cexchanged pleasantries\u201d at an event during Adams\u2019 tenure as Brooklyn borough president. But Adams has traveled to Turkey on numerous occasions, bragging last month, \u201cI\u2019m probably the only mayor in the history of this city that has not only visited Turkey once, but I think I\u2019m on my sixth or seventh visit to Turkey.\u201d Turkish entities reportedly paid for some of those visits.<\/p>\n On Friday, just before the news of the FBI seizure broke, The City<\/em> reporter Katie Honan asked<\/a> Adams about early speculation that, amidst this investigation, Adams will face several primary challengers in 2025. \u201cWait before you hate,\u201d Adams cryptically replied.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n