Adams denies knowing anything about NYC construction firm at center of campaign probe
Mayor Eric Adams has denied knowing anything about the construction firm at the center of the federal probe into his campaign finances — while acknowledging he’s been in touch with his top fundraiser, whose house was raided last week.
Hizzoner was asked point-black during an interview with PIX11’s Dan Mannarino if he knew or had ever worked with anybody from the Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based KSK Construction Group.
“Not of my knowledge,” the New York City mayor replied in comments made public Sunday. “I am not familiar with this organization at all … It’s one of the many different groups and organizations that contributes to the campaign.”
Meanwhile, Hizzoner revealed that he has “communicated” with Briana Suggs, his 25-year-old embattled fundraiser, after FBI agents tossed her Crown Heights, Brooklyn, pad bright and early Thursday as part of their probe into potential public corruption.
“I have communicated with her since this incident took place,” the mayor said. “She’s communicating with the team’s attorney, and they’re going to continue to do so.”
Law-enforcement sources have told The Post that federal agents were searching the home for evidence of a possible plot to illegally funnel foreign cash through KSK from Turkey and into Adams’ campaign coffers in exchange for favors.
As of Sunday, neither KSK, Arkan, Adams, Suggs nor anyone else had been charged with any crimes.
The alleged plot reportedly focuses on potential straw donors: people or companies whose identities are illegally used to to make donations in their name to hide the real source.
Campaign finance records show that 11 KSK employees all made donations to Adams’ campaign on the same day in 2021 and for nearly identical amounts — including a worker who has said he doesn’t recall making his listed $1,250 amount. The donations totaled nearly $14,000.
The mayor, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, has tried to downplay the FBI raid, saying in the PIX interview that he still has “full confidence” in Suggs, a young political operative who boasted that she raised more than $18 million for the campaign in 2021.
“Where’s there’s smoke, there’s not always fire,” Adams told Mannarino, adding that his campaign would comply “100 percent” with the investigation.
“She has done an amazing job,” he added.
Despite his recent efforts to minimize the raid and its fallout, Adams took the news seriously enough that he abruptly bailed on a slate of meetings with White House officials when news of the raid broke Thursday.
Law-enforcement sources told The Post that the feds had waited for Hizzoner to be out of town before they busted into Suggs’ brownstone.
But Adams quickly returned to the Big Apple, abandoning the much-sought-after meeting with Biden administration officials and other big-city mayors over the country’s burgeoning migrant crisis.
“I was notified by our team that something was taking place with the campaign staffer, and I wanted to be here to make sure of that we fully complied,” Adams said.
“I have one of the best compliance teams that any campaign has ever put together.”
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