Federal prosecutors investigating Mayor Eric Adams of New York and his 2021 campaign have reportedly served a new round of grand jury subpoenas as part of their ongoing corruption inquiry. According to sources familiar with the matter, the subpoenas were issued to Mayor Adams himself, City Hall, and his election committee.

These three subpoenas were served in July and seek a wide range of materials, such as text messages, communications, and documents, in relation to various aspects, including travel by the mayor, his aides, and other individuals, as well as fund-raising activities. It is expected that the subpoenas will encompass information related to aides to the mayor and individuals involved in both City Hall and Mr. Adams's 2021 campaign.

This latest development comes approximately nine months after the public became aware of the corruption investigation, which has significantly impacted the city's political landscape. Mayor Adams, who is currently facing sagging approval ratings and competition in the 2025 Democratic primary, has consistently asserted his innocence and emphasized that his campaign has scrupulously followed the law.

The full scope of the investigation remains undisclosed, but it is known that it involves examining whether Mayor Adams and his campaign collaborated with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations. Additionally, the investigation has looked into allegations of pressuring the Fire Department to approve Turkey's new high-rise consulate in Manhattan despite safety concerns. Furthermore, federal authorities have also scrutinized free flight upgrades given to Mr. Adams by Turkish Airlines.

Mayor Adams's legal representatives, Brendan R. McGuire and Boyd M. Johnson III, who have previously overseen public corruption prosecutions, stated that they have conducted their own investigation into the conduct under scrutiny. They have examined campaign documents, analyzed tens of thousands of electronic communications, and conducted witness interviews. The lawyers maintain that no evidence of illegal conduct by the mayor has been identified and have voluntarily shared information with the U.S. attorney's office.

The issuance of the new subpoenas indicates potential progress in the investigation, as prosecutors and FBI agents have recently reached out to lawyers representing witnesses for follow-up questions and expedited interviews with other witnesses. However, the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI declined to comment on the matter.

It should be noted that neither Mayor Adams nor any other members of his administration or campaign staff have been accused of any wrongdoing at this stage. It remains possible that the investigation may conclude without any charges being brought against the mayor or his aides, similar to the federal and state investigations that ultimately resulted in no charges against Mayor Adams's predecessor, Bill de Blasio.

Mayor Adams's spokesperson, Fabien Levy, reiterated the mayor's commitment to cooperating with the investigation, highlighting his law enforcement background and his consistent stance over the past nine months.

The reasons behind the issuance of these new subpoenas remain unclear due to the secrecy surrounding grand jury proceedings. The investigation was initiated in 2021, prior to Mayor Adams assuming office, and remained undisclosed until last fall. The search warrants executed in November of last year, which included raids on the homes of Mr. Adams's chief fund-raiser and individuals connected to the Turkish government, indicated that the investigation involved matters related to the Turkish government.

As the investigation into Mayor Adams and his campaign continues, the public will await further updates regarding the progress and potential outcomes of the case.