The indictment of Mayor Eric Adams unsealed Thursday offers new details about what transpired behind the scenes in early November 2023, when the federal government’s investigation first came into view.
Adams had flown to Washington, D.C., the morning of Nov. 2, to discuss the migrants “issue” he claimed would “destroy” the city. But he cut the trip short after news broke that the FBI had raided the homes of his chief fundraiser, international affairs liaison and others.
Since that day, the mayor and his aides have repeatedly said he had nothing to hide, referred to his career as a law enforcement officer, his insistence on following the law and his unerring cooperation with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office.
But prosecutors say the November raids prompted steps by Adams and others to frustrate the government’s inquiry, which culminated Thursday when the mayor was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery and receiving illegal campaign contributions.
Early on Nov. 2, when the FBI arrived at the home of Adams’ top campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs, she called Adams five times even before she answered the door, or before the agents told her why they were there, according to the indictment, which refers to Suggs only as “Adams Fundraiser.”
As the FBI agents departed, according to the filing, Adams attempted to call Suggs’ phone. He quickly canceled his Washington meetings and immediately returned to New York.
The same day, the FBI executed search warrants of Adams’ international affairs liaison, Rana Abbasova, who worked for Adams at City Hall and earlier, when he was Brooklyn borough president.
Abbasova is referred to only as “Adams Staffer” in the indictment which details her alleged role in facilitating illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals, and securing other benefits enjoyed by Adams.
After voluntarily agreeing to speak with FBI agents and denying the criminal conduct of herself and Adams, Abbasova “excused herself to the bathroom,” according to the indictment. While there, prosecutors say she deleted the encrypted messaging apps she used to communicate with Adams and others engaged in the alleged schemes.
Then on Nov. 6, FBI agents executed search warrants for Adams’ own electronic devices.
Although Adams was carrying several electronic devices, including two cell phones, he wasn’t carrying his personal cell phone, which is the device he used for his illegal conduct, the indictment alleges.
But prosecutors say when the mayor produced his personal phone the following day, it was locked.
Adams claimed he had changed the four-digit password to six digits, “to prevent members of his staff from inadvertently or intentionally deleting” the contents. Then, he said, he forgot the new code, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors allege the “forgotten” password was just one of many steps the mayor took over nearly a decade to hide his wrongful acts, including deleting text messages, lying on financial disclosure forms and creating false paper trails.
Adams has denied any wrongdoing and neither Suggs nor Abbasova has been charged.