New York Grand Jury Examines Evidence in Investigation of Mayor Adams’ Campaign Finances

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From Craig McCarthy, Larry Celona And Patrick Reilly

A grand jury is reviewing evidence as part of a federal corruption investigation into Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign fundraising, presumably with the goal of issuing subpoenas in the case, sources told The Washington Post.

The development in the FBI investigation into Adams’ 2021 campaign came as sources also revealed that a person associated with the mayor had recently received a subpoena related to the investigation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan declined to comment.

A spokesman for Adams did not confirm or deny the grand jury’s involvement in the federal investigation.

“City Hall has stated from the outset that it will cooperate fully with this review – and it has done so by making individuals available to discuss all the necessary details to reach a fair and timely conclusion,” the spokesperson said.

Sources told the Washington Post that grand juries regularly met in high-profile federal investigations, such as the one into Adams’ campaign.

Statewide grand juries can indict, and sources say the grand jury being used as part of the mayor’s campaign investigation will likely be used to issue subpoenas.

No wrongdoing has been alleged against Adams, but his campaign has been under investigation since November after federal prosecutors investigated allegations that the Turkish government illegally funneled funds to the mayor’s campaign.

As part of the investigation, federal agents searched the homes of at least three people close to Adams, including former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Ocal, who had worked on the mayor’s transition team, and City Hall employee Rana Abbasova.

The home of Adams’ top campaign fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, was also searched.

According to a search warrant, authorities were looking for evidence of theft of federal funds, wire fraud, conspiracy to steal federal funds and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.