In a stunning development, FBI agents have seized New York City Mayor Eric Adams' iPhones and iPad as part of a corruption investigation into his campaign fundraising. Adams' campaign confirmed that his electronic devices were taken by FBI agents on Monday night. However, his lawyer, Boyd Johnson, issued a somewhat cryptic statement suggesting that someone close to the mayor had acted improperly. Johnson stated, "After learning of the federal investigation, it was discovered that an individual had recently acted improperly. In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behavior was immediately and proactively reported to investigators. The Mayor has been and remains committed to cooperating in this matter."

According to reports, the FBI approached Mayor Adams after an event on Monday night, and he immediately complied with their request to provide them with his electronic devices. It is important to note that Mayor Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate fully with the investigation. The mayor himself addressed the situation during his weekly meeting with reporters on Wednesday. He faced numerous questions about the FBI raid on the home of his chief campaign fundraiser, Briana Suggs. However, he did not reveal that his own electronic devices had been confiscated two days prior.

Mayor Adams, who has a background in law enforcement, emphasized his expectation that all members of his staff follow the law and fully cooperate with any investigations. He stated, "I have nothing to hide." Sources close to the investigation revealed that the information provided by Mayor Adams' lawyers did not involve Briana Suggs but another individual within the mayor's circle. The exact identity of this person remains unknown, but it was believed that information about them was stored on one of the mayor's devices, which were apparently returned to him after a few days.

The FBI's New York City press office declined to comment on the matter. However, it is clear that the investigation into Mayor Adams' campaign fundraising is ongoing. This latest development comes after the FBI searched the home of Briana Suggs, the mayor's chief campaign fundraiser, on November 2nd. The search was part of a federal campaign finance investigation, according to sources familiar with the matter. This prompted Mayor Adams to cancel a planned trip to meet with White House officials and instead return to New York.

Throughout the controversy, Mayor Adams has expressed confidence in his campaign organization, stating that he would be shocked if anyone claimed that they had engaged in illegal behavior. He campaigned as a tough-on-crime Democrat, emphasizing his background in law enforcement and promising to increase NYPD staffing and funding. However, his campaign has faced allegations of an alleged scheme to divert funds to his campaign through straw donors, with six people charged in July. The mayor was not implicated in these allegations, and his representatives have maintained that he had no knowledge of the scheme.

The recent seizures of Mayor Adams' electronic devices by the FBI suggest that the investigation is intensifying. They are reportedly looking into whether his 2021 mayoral campaign conspired with a Brooklyn construction company and the Turkish government to funnel foreign money into the campaign through a straw donor scheme. The New York Times reported that at least two cellphones and an iPad were seized, but they were returned to the mayor within a matter of days. The FBI and Mayor Adams' office have yet to comment on these reports.

This development has undoubtedly cast a shadow over Mayor Adams' administration and raises questions about the integrity of his campaign. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact his tenure as New York City's mayor and whether any charges will be brought against him or individuals within his circle.