By James Myers, OAN Staff
Thursday, September 26, 2024 7:58 AM
On Thursday morning, just hours after Mayor Eric Adams became the first New York City mayor to be indicted, about a dozen federal agents arrived at the front door of Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence, and searched the building.
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Just before 6 a.m., men and women in suits filed into the mansion, carrying briefcases and large bags.
Investigators seized Adams' cellphone during the morning raid, multiple sources said, but it was unclear whether Adams was at Gracie Mansion when agents arrived.
Adams was not arrested, according to his attorney, Alex Spiro.
“Federal agents showed up at Gracie Mansion this morning, staged another false show and attempted to seize Mayor Adams' cell phone again,” he said. Associated Press“They sent 12 agents to retrieve the phone, even though we would have happily returned it.”
Meanwhile, multiple sources say the first indictment against a sitting New York City mayor is expected to be unsealed by U.S. Attorney Damien Williams for the Southern District of New York.
“Hopefully whatever they have is compelling because their credibility is on the line now,” one source close to the mayor said.
Despite the presence of authority figures outside Gracie Mansion, Adams was not expected to turn himself in to police until early next week.
Additionally, the charges, details of which were still unclear as of Thursday morning, are believed to relate to allegations that the Turkish government illegally diverted funds to his campaign in exchange for approval from the Turkish consulate in Manhattan.
After being charged, Adams posted a video statement calling any charges against him “completely false and based on lies” and saying he had become an easy target for retaliation for criticizing the Biden administration's border policies.
“The federal government has done nothing while its flawed immigration policies have strained our shelter system and provided no relief,” he said. “I put the people of New York above party and politics.”
“I always knew that if I stood up for the people of New York, I would be a target, and I was,” he said.
“If charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with all my might and all my heart.”
Federal investigators have also conducted a series of searches targeting Adams' inner circle in recent weeks, including the new police commissioner, the commissioner Adams replaced and top aides in the mayor's office and campaign.
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