Federal agents search home of top fundraiser for NYC Mayor Eric Adams

Federal agents raided the home of a top fundraiser for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, prompting Adams to abruptly cancel a planned White House meeting.

Federal agents conducted a raid on the home of Brianna Suggs, a top fundraiser and close associate of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The raid took place in Brooklyn, and while it is unclear if Suggs herself is the target of the investigation, authorities carried out a court-authorized law enforcement action at her residence. The FBI's New York office confirmed the operation but did not provide further details.

Vito Pitta, an attorney for the Adams campaign, stated that the mayor was not contacted as part of the inquiry. Pitta emphasized that the campaign maintains high standards and will cooperate with any inquiries as necessary. Suggs, who works as a campaign consultant for Adams, has raised funds for his election efforts and has also lobbied on behalf of a real estate client.

The news of the raid coincided with Adams canceling several scheduled meetings in Washington, D.C., including a meeting with senior White House officials to discuss the migrant crisis. Adams had initially shared a video of himself on a plane, highlighting the importance of these meetings. However, he abruptly returned to New York to address the undisclosed matter. FBI agents, identifiable by their windbreakers, were observed entering Suggs' home and removing at least one box.

Brianna Suggs, 25, has been working for Adams since 2017 when she joined his staff in the Brooklyn Borough president's office as a teenager. She played a crucial role in Adams' mayoral campaign, serving as a chief fundraiser and director of logistics. Suggs has received over $150,000 for her work on both the previous campaign and the ongoing reelection bid. In addition to her campaign role, Suggs established her own lobbying firm, Brianna Suggs & Associates Inc., in 2021. The firm's sole listed client is a real estate group seeking control of a city-owned mall in Manhattan's Chinatown.

Suggs' dual roles as a mayoral fundraiser and a lobbyist for real estate clients have drawn scrutiny from good government groups. However, a spokesperson for Suggs previously defended her positions, asserting that they did not violate any city laws. The spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment regarding the recent raid.

This incident involving Suggs marks the latest legal trouble faced by individuals associated with Mayor Adams' fundraising activities. In July, six individuals were charged in a straw donor conspiracy aimed at diverting significant funds to Adams' campaign. Additionally, former city buildings commissioner Eric Ulrich, who served under Adams, was charged in September for using his position to exchange favors, including access to the mayor, for money and other bribes. Ulrich and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty.

While Adams has distanced himself from these cases, a federal investigation into one of his key fundraisers could pose a more significant threat to the mayor. As a Democrat who assumed office in 2022, Adams will likely face increased scrutiny as the investigation unfolds.