Mayor Eric Adams appeared at the 39th Annual 116th Street Festival in East Harlem on Saturday, with reporters clamoring to ask him about a federal corruption probe into his campaign fundraising. The mayor claimed he had “no idea” that a grand jury had been convened for the investigation, which is being conducted by the FBI. At least one person connected to Adams has reportedly received a subpoena in relation to the case.
Despite being a close reader of The Post, Adams denied having any knowledge about the recent developments surrounding the probe. He advised reporters to speak with his counsel, who would explain the normal process for such investigations. The mayor was in a jovial mood during the festival, avoiding further discussion on the issue before taking the stage to speak briefly.
His former rival, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, speculated that the walls were closing in on Adams and suggested that some individuals connected to the mayor may have already flipped on him and become FBI informants. Sliwa referenced rumors that a former City Hall aid had been suspended for inappropriate conduct amid the federal probe and was now working as an FBI informant.
The FBI is also investigating whether Adams’ team conspired with the Turkish government to fuel his campaign with foreign donations and whether he urged the FDNY to fast-track permits for a new Turkish Consulate that had failed earlier safety inspection. Neither Adams nor any member of his campaign has been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to these allegations.
