A forgotten password becomes the center of controversy in an ongoing federal investigation involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
According to USA TODAY, Mayor Adams stated he forgot his phone's passcode right when the FBI wanted to inspect it during a 2023 investigation into illegal donations and campaign fraud.
The federal indictment, unsealed on September 26, 2024, suggests that the password issue was more than a simple lapse in memory. Prosecutors allege that Adams accepted illegal contributions from Turkey, defrauded the city's public campaign finance program, and inappropriately influenced the fire department regarding a Turkish consulate building's safety inspection.
On November 2, 2023, Adams abruptly canceled a White House meeting and returned to New York upon learning that the FBI had visited his top fundraiser's home. Four days later, when federal agents arrived with a search warrant for Adams' phones, he only provided his official devices, claiming his personal phone was at home.
When Adams finally surrendered his personal phone on November 5, it was locked. The mayor stated that he had changed the password from four to six digits after learning about the investigation, purportedly to prevent accidental deletions by his staff.
The indictment quotes Adams' explanation for the inaccessible phone:
But, Adams further claimed, he had forgotten the password he had just set, and thus was unable to provide the FBI with a password that would unlock the phone.
This claim has raised eyebrows among investigators, who view it as part of a broader pattern of attempts to conceal wrongful conduct from public and law enforcement scrutiny.
The indictment also mentions that a staff member allegedly deleted encrypted messaging apps used for communication with Adams and others while in the bathroom during an FBI interview.
Earlier in September 2024, federal agents seized phones belonging to several high-ranking city officials, including the police commissioner, who subsequently resigned. Two deputy mayors, the school's chancellor, and a close aide to Adams also had their devices confiscated.
The investigation culminated in a raid on Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence, on the morning of September 26, 2024. Agents seized yet another phone belonging to Adams during this operation.
The five-count federal indictment alleges a complex web of illegal activities, including the acceptance of foreign donations and manipulation of the city's campaign finance system. The alleged involvement of Turkish interests adds an international dimension to the case, further complicating the legal and political ramifications.
Mayor Adams has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. However, the detailed nature of the indictment, including numerous text messages and phone records, presents a challenging legal battle ahead for the embattled mayor.
The controversy surrounding Eric Adams' phone password and the subsequent federal indictment has plunged New York City's administration into turmoil. The allegations of illegal foreign donations, campaign finance fraud, and attempts to obstruct the investigation paint a picture of widespread misconduct. As the legal process unfolds, the impact on Adams' political future and the governance of America's largest city remains to be seen.
