What happens if Eric Adams is indicted? Open election and political turmoil feared
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a rather dramatic turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams finds himself at the center of a storm of allegations and fears of a potential federal indictment on campaign violation charges.
Sources close to the mayor have disclosed his anxieties this week, revealing a growing unease as the FBI intensifies its investigation into his campaign finances.
Brianna Suggs shifts representation
The alleged apprehension comes in the wake of revelations that Adams' former top fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, has taken a significant step by retaining her own legal representation, distancing herself from the legal team currently representing City Hall.
The unfolding legal saga has raised questions about the future of Adams' tenure as mayor.
Between 2018 and 2021, Adams' campaign allegedly accepted $18,000 from Turkish individuals and organizations. To comply with donation limits, Adams returned $5,000, sparking an FBI inquiry into potential breaches of campaign laws prohibiting contributions from foreign entities.
Adams is reportedly facing the possibility of navigating a legal battle while in office or making the difficult decision to step down.
A spokesperson from City Hall vehemently denied any concerns on Adams' part, dismissing the information as baseless and urging the public to disregard what they deemed as false claims.
The denial, however, stands in contrast to Adams' purported expressions of worry to those in his inner circle, who shed light on the internal turmoil the mayor is facing.
A source close to the campaign refuted claims of Adams' apprehension, pointing out that investigators have yet to make any specific allegations against him.
"This is nothing more than a political stunt from an opponent of the mayor trying to stir things up," they told the Daily Mail.
Legal dynamics
Brianna Suggs, initially represented by WilmerHale—the same firm currently representing Adams and the campaign—has taken a pivotal step by securing the services of Rebecca Ricigliano.
A former federal prosecutor with experience in the Southern District of New York, Ricigliano now works for the white-collar crime firm Crowell & Moring.
In a statement this week, Ricigliano conveyed cooperation with the government's investigation, a move that could potentially reshape the case's trajectory.
Campaign finance records reveal additional details about questionable contributions. Adams' team reportedly accepted $6,000 from three US citizens on the Turken Foundation board between 2018 and 2021.
To adhere to individual donation limits, the campaign returned $1,000. Furthermore, $12,600 came from two board members of the advocacy group The Turkish American Steering Committee, leading to a $4,000 refund due to donation limit violations.
The Turken Foundation, an organization building housing for Muslim students in the US, has a connection to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's son.
Turkish politicians have previously raised concerns about the Erdogan family potentially using the Foundation to stash money overseas.
The intricacies of these financial transactions have forced the Adams campaign to return more than $8,000, highlighting the campaign's struggles with complying with donation limits.
Potential fallout
The possibility of Adams stepping down in the face of an indictment raises questions about succession.
His resignation would trigger a 60-day open election, with potential candidates including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose tumultuous exit amid a sexual harassment scandal remains fresh in public memory.
Other contenders may include Cuomo's aide Melissa DeRosa and New York State Director of Operations Kathryn Garcia.
As the legal saga unfolds, Adams' team continues to cooperate with the FBI's investigation. The recent raid on Brianna Suggs' home saw agents seizing multiple phones, laptops, and paperwork, intensifying the scrutiny on Adams' campaign.
Despite the upheaval, Adams maintains his innocence, stating unequivocally that he is cooperating with the investigation and has committed no wrongdoing.
The situation took another twist when Suggs, reassigned from fundraising to another role, switched legal representation.
Adams confirmed this change at a press conference, stating, "With Brianna, she's no longer doing fundraising for the campaign," while declining to provide further details.
As the investigation unfolds, New York City watches with bated breath, awaiting the resolution of a political saga that could reshape the city's leadership.