A day after admitting he was served a federal subpoena, Eric Adams is insisting that he followed the letter of the law in his successful 2021 mayoral campaign, even as investigators are casting a wide net around him.


What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Eric Adams on Friday insisted that his 2021 mayoral campaign followed the law

  • The federal probe reportedly centers on whether his 2021 campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal donations

  • Adams was served the subpoenas in July and said he is cooperating with the investigation

“We follow the rules. We know the rules. I follow the rules and I’m going to continue to do so. And whatever information we can give to show that we have complied with the rules, we’re going to do that," he said in response to the report.

The story was first reported by the New York Times. 

The probe reportedly centers on whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal donations. 

“We’re going to follow that process and come out on the other side showing that Not only as a law enforcement officer, as a borough president, but as a mayor, I comply with the rules of the city and the state of New York and our federal rules," the mayor said. 

The probe was first revealed in November when the mayor rushed back from Washington, D.C. to New York amid a raid on the home of one of his top fundraisers, Briana Suggs.  

Since then, the mayor has had his cell phones and iPad seized. Adam’s former liaison to the Turkish community, Rana Abbasova, has had her home raided. Abbasova is cooperating with federal investigators. 

On Friday, Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg refused to provide details on the latest federal subpoenas. 

“We are incredibly respectful of the review that SDNY is doing and just like they don’t want information shared and send out standard letters saying please don’t even confirm the existence of a subpoena,” Zornberg said. “What I can say is, I personally have no knowledge of any person testifying for the grand jury.”

It’s unclear what exact materials were requested under the latest round of subpoenas or what prompted the action from federal investigators.  

Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing. 

The mayor shrugged off any concern that the investigation is affecting his mayoralty. 

“It takes a great deal of discipline to defend yourself when you’ve done nothing wrong,” Adams said. “I have an offensive line that is going to allow me to move the ball down the field and to fight on behalf of New Yorkers.” 

Adams is expected to be in Chicago on Wednesday and Thursday for the Democratic National Convention. He told NY1 he doesn’t plan to change his plans even amid the new round of subpoenas.