Feds probing NYC Mayor Eric Adams' dealings with 6 foreign governments, sources say
NEW YORK -- The federal investigation into donations made to New York City Mayor Eric Adams' 2021 campaign appears to be expanding.
The feds have been scrutinizing donations from people connected to the Turkish government, but sources tell CBS News New York agents served subpoenas for information on five more foreign governments over the summer.
Adams was asked to address the latest details of the expanding investigation during his weekly media availability Tuesday morning.
"Eight, nine, 10 months ago, when this investigation first came to light, look at how the city continued to progress. We didn't stand still, we didn't stop, we continued to produce housing, we continued to bring down crime, we continued to progress, and we're going to continue to do that," he told reporters.
Adams responds to latest reports
CBS News New York's Political Reporter Marcia Kramer asked the mayor what he would say to New Yorkers and how he's feeling amid the constant headlines.
"You're going to have to wait to get my book," he replied with a laugh. "What I must do, what I say over and over again, things that come up in life - as you talked about, the 'Job moment,' - things that come up in life, they always come up. There's always something happening in life, can you stay focused on your mission?"
"I'm going to fight for New Yorkers, I've always done that, I'm not going to stop doing that," he continued.
Kramer also wondered if the investigation is impacting the city's ability to fill open roles within the administration. Adams said being in the public sector "wears on you," but added, "city government is a deep bench and we have a reservoir of talent in this city."
"We're not going to have a problem filling any of these positions, people want to be in city government," he said.
Feds delivered new round of subpoenas in July
People with knowledge of the situation tell CBS News New York the feds delivered a new round of subpoenas to Adams' lawyer in July seeking information related to the mayor's dealings with Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Sources say it's unclear what the feds were seeking, specifically, but it is believed to be an outgrowth of an investigation that started in November 2023.
Last year, agents raided the home of Brianna Suggs, Adams' chief fundraiser. They were reportedly looking into whether the Adams campaign took illegal donations in exchange for pressuring the FDNY to approve a new Turkish consulate in Manhattan, despite safety concerns.
The feds had examined free flights and upgrades the mayor received on Turkish Airlines, and sources said the July subpoenas sought additional information about the mayor's Turkish contacts.
City Hall says it "will continue to fully comply"
After the raid on Suggs' home, the mayor bowed out of a high level White House meeting on the migrant crisis to rush back to New York. Adams insisted he had done nothing wrong at the time.
"I feel extremely comfortable about how I comply with rules and procedures," he said.
Asked about the latest round of subpoenas, Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy issued the statement, "We've been asked not to comment on the content of subpoenas, but, as we have repeatedly said, we will continue to fully comply with any law enforcement inquiry."
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office declined to comment.
New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced his resignation Monday in an unrelated shakeup of the Adams administration.