Eric Adams ‘fears he’ll be indicted for campaign violations over donations from Turkey’ – which could lead to chaotic 60 day open election for new NYC Mayor if he steps down
New York City Mayor Eric Adams fears he is about to be charged with violating federal campaign rules, sources tell DailyMail.com.
Adams reportedly expressed his concerns to people close to him this week as the FBI investigation into his campaign finances gained momentum and after his former top fundraiser Brianna Suggs hired her own lawyers, abandoning a team that currently represents the mayor’s office.
Between 2018 and 2021, Adams’ campaign received a total of $18,000 from Turkish individuals and organizations. He returned $5,000 to meet the donation limit.
The FBI is investigating whether the donations violate election campaign laws, which prohibit donations from foreign governments or individuals working on their behalf.
If indicted, Adams would either have to fight the legal battle while in office or resign. If the latter scenario occurs, it could lead to a chaotic 60-day open election in which a replacement is found with no clear frontrunner.
According to DailyMail.com sources, Mayor Eric Adams has expressed concern that he could be charged with campaign donations from Turkish individuals and organizations.
Suggs was represented by WilmerHale, which currently represents Adams and his campaign.
This week, she hired Rebecca Ricigliano, a former federal prosecutor who previously worked in the Southern District of New York and now works for the crime firm Crowell & Moring.
In a statement this week, Ricigliano said they were cooperating with the government investigation.
The mayor’s office today denies that Adams is at all concerned about the allegations.
“Stop spreading lies, especially from people who have nothing to do with this matter,” a spokesperson told DailyMail.com, directing his comments to sources who raised Adams’ concerns.
A source close to the campaign also denied he was concerned, saying investigators had not yet brought any specific charges against him.
“This is nothing more than a political stunt by the mayor’s opponent trying to escalate the situation,” they said.
Adams’ team took $6,000 between 2018 and 2021 from three U.S. citizens who serve on the Turken Foundation’s board of directors, according to campaign finance reports.
The campaign returned $1,000, which exceeded the individual donation limit.
Earlier this month, FBI agents raided the home of Brianna Suggs, one of Adams’ assistants.
The campaign also received $12,600 from two board members of the advocacy group Turkish American Steering Committee.
The campaign returned $4,000 in donations after it was accused of violating donation limits.
Brianna Suggs, Adams’ top 2021 fundraiser, has retained her own legal team.
The Turken Foundation, a group that builds housing for Muslim students in the United States, was founded by the son of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish politicians have in the past questioned whether Erdogan’s family used the fund to store money abroad.
Adams’ campaign had to return more than $8,000 of those donations due to campaign donation cap rules.
If Adams resigns while facing charges, his resignation would trigger a 60-day open election.
His current term expires in 2025, and it remains unclear whether he will face any strong opponents.
If Adams resigns, his immediate responsibilities will shift to Public Advocate Jumaan Williams, then Brand Lander city controller.
A special election will be held 60 days after Adams’ resignation.
Potential candidates include former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who left office amid a sexual harassment scandal, his aide Melissa DeRosa and New York State Director of Operations Katherine Garcia.
Adams’ team has been cooperating with the FBI’s investigation into donations and his campaign since agents raided Brianna Suggs’ home earlier this month.
Agents seized several phones, laptops and documents from properties in Brooklyn.
Three Turken Foundation board members have contributed to Adams’ 2021 campaign. The company was registered by Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
In 2018, Adams, then the Brooklyn borough president, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Turken House, an organization associated with the son of the Turkish president. He is building a student dormitory for Muslim students in the US.
If Adams resigns, he will be immediately replaced by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for 60 days until the election. Williams has previously advocated for defunding the police and is an outspoken advocate for migrants.
Adams, speaking after the raid, said he cooperated with the investigation and did nothing wrong.
The possibility of indicting Adams himself comes a day after Suggs switched lawyers from the firm representing Adams and his campaign to her own team of lawyers.
Suggs was transferred from fundraising to another position.
At a press conference Tuesday, Adams said, “As far as Brianna is concerned, she is no longer fundraising for the campaign.” He declined to elaborate.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has reportedly expressed interest in running for mayor. Katherine Garcia, former commissioner of the Department of Sanitation, is another contender.