NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged in federal corruption investigation into administration, federal agents seize his phone again

NEW YORK (WABC) — Federal agents arrived at Gracie Mansion around 6 a.m., apparently to subpoena New York Mayor Eric Adams to appear in federal court at a later date.

About a dozen agents were spotted, some carrying bags, entering through the east gate accompanied by NYPD officers. They spent at least an hour at the mayor's residence.

The mayor received a summons and his cell phone was confiscated.

Alex Spiro, Mayor Adams’ attorney, issued a statement saying:

“This morning, federal agents showed up at Gracie Mansion to (yet again) create a spectacle and (yet again) take away Mayor Adams' phone. He was not arrested and looks forward to his day in court.”

“They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have gladly handed it over.”

An administration official said earlier Thursday that they had not yet been officially notified of any charges and that their legal team was unaware of the sealed indictment against the mayor.

The mayor's lawyer released a video statement from the mayor, but did not confirm that charges had been filed against the mayor.

“I've had to face these lies for months … and yet the city has continued to improve,” Adams said. “Make no mistake. You elected me to lead this city and I will lead it.”

The video appears to have been shot at Gracie Mansion, where the mayor met with lawyers and staff late into the night on Wednesday.

He also released a written statement saying, “I always knew that if I stood up for New Yorkers, I would be a target – and I was. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight it with all my strength and determination.”

Federal charges against Mayor Adams and likely others are expected to be announced later Thursday.

U.S. Attorney Damien Williams is expected to announce the details of the charges at a press conference in his office.

The charges against the mayor are unknown, nor is the number of other people who may be involved in the grand jury indictment, which is believed to be related to the mayor's fundraising efforts in 2021.

According to a schedule released early this morning, Mayor Adams has no public events on Thursday.

Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be impeached while in office. If he resigns, he would be replaced by the city's ombudsman, Jumaane Williams, who would then call a special election.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office. A spokesperson for Hochul said the governor is aware of the “concerning news reports” and is monitoring the situation. “It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement,” she said.

Adams, the police officer turned politician, along with members of his inner circle, spent nearly a year in the shadow of federal investigations.

His cell phones were seized, and in recent weeks the homes of some of his closest associates were searched by federal agents working on several related corruption investigations.

The mayor accepted the resignation of Edward Caban, his hand-picked police commissioner, two weeks ago after authorities issued a subpoena for his cell phones.

The mayor's chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, resigned. This week, schools chancellor David Banks announced he would retire at the end of the year. Banks also turned over his phone to federal authorities.

The cellphones of Banks' younger brothers Philip, the deputy mayor for public safety, and Terence were also seized. The cellphone of David Banks' fiancée, Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor, was also seized.

SEE ALSO | Dan Krauth explains the federal investigation

Adams has stated that as a former police officer, he has always followed the rules. He also said he is not aware of any “misconduct” within his administration.

He has repeatedly stated that he is not aware of any wrongdoing and dismissed speculation about charges against him as “rumors and insinuations.”

The federal investigation into his administration first came to public attention on November 2, 2023, when FBI agents raided the Brooklyn home of Adams' chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, in the early morning hours.

At the time, Adams insisted he was following the law and said he would be “shocked” if anyone on his campaign team had acted illegally. “I can't tell you how many times I start every day by telling my team that we have to follow the law,” he told reporters at the time.

Days later, FBI agents seized the mayor's phones and iPad as he left an event in Manhattan. The interaction was disclosed several days later by the mayor's attorney.

Other investigations have focused on city contracts and the enforcement of regulations for bars and clubs.

Adams was only the second African American to lead the nation's largest city and was hailed as the forerunner of a new generation of Democratic leaders who could both support law enforcement and chart a progressive course in the wake of a pandemic that rocked the city.

Under his leadership, the city has seen a remarkable decline in violent crime after a spike in the Covid era, when business leaders and residents complained that New York was heading back to the bad old 1980s.

According to sources, Adams is not expected to appear in court until next week.

ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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