The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seized New York City Mayor Eric Adams' phones and iPad as the agency intensifies its investigation into alleged corruption.

The probe comes in relation to allegations that the Democratic lawmaker's 2021 campaign conspired with the Turkish government and others to funnel money into its coffers. The FBI agents approached Adams after an event at New York University on Monday evening.

Eric Adams Corruption Investigation

(Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams had his two phones and iPad seized by FBI agents in relation to an ongoing corruption investigation.

A person with knowledge of the matter said that they asked his security detail to step away. The agents then climbed into the NYC mayor's SUV with him and, pursuant to a court-authorized warrant, took his devices.

The devices that were seized include at least two phones and an iPad that were later returned to the mayor after a few days. Law enforcement investigators with a search warrant are allowed to make copies of the data on devices after they are taken.

In a statement, a lawyer for the NYC mayor and his campaign said that the Democratic lawmaker was cooperating with federal authorities. It added that he had already "proactively reported" at least one instance of improper behavior, as per the New York Times.

The lawyer, Boyd Johnson, noted that after Adams learned of the federal investigation into alleged corruption, it was found that an individual had recently acted improperly. He added that in the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this particular behavior was immediately and proactively reported to federal agents.

Johnson said that Adams had not been accused of wrongdoing and had "immediately complied with the FBI's request and provided agents with the electronic devices. The NYC mayor had attended an anniversary celebration for the ASD Support Project, an initiative at New York University that works with public schools to enhance education for autistic learners.

However, the statement did not specify the identity of the individual, the conduct that was reported to authorities, or make clear whether the reported misconduct was related to the seizure of Adams' devices.

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Cooperating With Law Enforcement

The mayor himself also said that as he is a former member of law enforcement, he expects all of his staff members to fully cooperate with any investigation. He added that he would do the same as he has nothing to hide from the law, according to the New York Post.

The person with knowledge about the recent development said that the manner in which the NYC mayor had his phones taken away in public seems targeted against him in response to his stance on the immigration crisis.

The situation comes a week after Adams had to abruptly and dramatically bail on a slate of White House immigration meetings to fly back to the Big Apple. This was because FBI agents raided the home of his lead fundraiser Brianna Suggs almost as soon as he landed in Washington, D.C.

On top of the devices that they seized from Suggs' home, the FBI agents also took something that they identified as a "manila folder labeled Eric Adams." They also seized seven "contribution card binders" and other materials, said Fox News.

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