FBI seizes New York mayor’s phone ahead of expected release of indictment

Mr. Adams was indicted by a grand jury in a federal criminal case that is still pending trial, according to two people familiar with the matter.

“Federal agents showed up at Gracie Mansion this morning to (once again) create a spectacle and (once again) take away Mayor Adams’ phone,” Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro said in a statement, adding that the mayor was not arrested.

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

On Thursday morning, federal police officers were seen entering the mayor’s Manhattan residence. Several vehicles with federal police signs were parked in front of the house.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan declined to comment on the investigation.

An FBI spokesman declined to comment.

A spokesman for the mayor did not immediately respond to questions Thursday morning.

In a video address released on Wednesday evening, Mr Adams vowed to fight all allegations against him and claimed he had been made the “target” of a case “based on lies”.

“I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and spirit,” he said.

It was not immediately clear what laws Mr Adams is alleged to have broken or when he might have to appear in court.

The indictment caps an extraordinary few weeks in New York City in which federal investigators targeted members of Mr. Adams’ inner circle, sparking a spate of raids, subpoenas and resignations of high-ranking figures.

Federal prosecutors appear to be conducting several separate investigations involving Adams and his senior staff, family members of those staff, campaign fundraising and possible interference with police and fire departments.

In the last two weeks alone, the city’s police chief and school director have announced their resignations.

FBI agents seized Mr. Adams’ electronic devices nearly a year ago as part of an investigation that focused, at least in part, on campaign contributions and Mr. Adams’s contacts with the Turkish government.

Because the indictment was sealed, it was not known whether these were the same cases.

In early September, federal investigators seized the devices of his police chief, his schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and other confidants inside and outside City Hall.

All have denied any wrongdoing.