A former member of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration is cooperating with the FBI as part of a federal criminal investigation into fundraising by the mayor's 2021 campaign, an attorney for Adams confirmed.
Rana Abbasova, an international liaison for the city who had been placed on leave in Nov. 2023 after the administration determined she had acted "improperly," is working with federal investigators in the case, according to Brendan McGuire, a criminal defense lawyer representing the mayor.
It was not a "new or meaningful development," McGuire said, as according to him, "Abbasova has been talking to investigators since her improper conduct was reported by the administration."
Mayor Adams said on Tuesday that he's not losing sleep over the development that one of his former aides turned against him in the investigation into possible wrongdoing by the campaign.
"I'm clear, I follow the law. I sleep well at night," he said at a press conference, sidestepping questions on whether Abbasova had any damaging information to share.
Adams has repeatedly denied the claims of corruption. His team said they don't believe the mayor is suspected of any wrongdoing himself.
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"It's gonna run its course...there have been unfounded allegations hurled at me," he said.
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Abbasova's attorney declined to comment Monday night. The New York Times was first to report that Abbasova was cooperating with federal investigators.
In 2023, Abbasova was accused by the mayor's office of asking City Hall co-workers to delete e-mails and texts she sent them. The administration said they were the ones who reported Abbasova to investigators.
"It's been almost seven months since Ms. Abbasova began speaking with the authorities after we proactively reported her conduct. There has not been one charge since," said Lisa Zornberg, an attorney for the mayor.
The federal investigation is looking into whether Abbasova, or anyone else, was involved in funneling foreign donations into Adams' campaign. The investigation is focused at least in part on whether the 2021 campaign conspired with the Turkish government to bundle improper foreign donations, or whether the mayor accepted improper upgrades on Turkish Airlines.
According to her bio on the city website, Abbasova's role was to "foster closer relationships between the City of New York and the broader diplomatic community." She previously worked in the Brooklyn borough president's office.
Abbasova has not been charged in any investigation and no official has said she acted illegally. Her home, along with the home of Adams' chief fundraiser Breanna Suggs, were raided in November while the mayor was on a plan to a White House meeting.
News of Abbasova’s alleged misconduct was first reported when a lawyer confirmed Mayor Adams’ cell phone and iPad were seized by the FBI on a Greenwich Village street.
