A City Hall aide, Rana Abbasova, was suspended for inappropriate conduct as part of an FBI investigation into Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign. Abbasova has been identified as the staffer who turned on her boss and is now cooperating with federal authorities. Her home was raided by the FBI in November 2023, leading to her suspension after she allegedly urged fellow City Hall staffers to delete texts. The “improper” behavior was reported to the feds, and Abbasova was placed on leave while federal investigators obtained a court warrant to retrieve Adams’ mobile devices to determine if he had also received messages from her. The mayor did not receive a message, according to sources.
Abbasova, who worked as the director of protocol in the Office for International Affairs and whose salary is listed as $80,651, performed advanced planning and logistics for mayoral events as part of her role. She previously worked for Adams when he served as Brooklyn Borough President and served as a liaison between him and the Turkish community. The FBI is investigating whether Adams’ team conspired with the Turkish government to fuel his campaign with foreign donations and whether he urged the FDNY to fast-track permits for a new Turkish Consulate that had previously failed a safety inspection. Despite the investigation, neither Adams, Abbasova, nor any member of his campaign has been accused of any wrongdoing.
It is unclear when Abbasova began cooperating with the FBI and what information she may have shared during the investigation. Brendan McGuire, Adam’s former chief counsel at City Hall who now represents him in the FBI probe, stated that Abbasova’s cooperation was not a new or meaningful development. The Adams administration reported her inappropriate behavior following the search of her home in November. City Hall declined to comment on the situation, referring questions to the mayor’s 2021 campaign. It remains to be seen how Abbasova’s cooperation with federal authorities will impact the ongoing investigation.
The investigation into Adams’ campaign fundraising has raised questions about potential ties with the Turkish government and whether foreign donations were used to support his campaign. The FBI is looking into allegations that Adams’ team conspired with Turkey to funnel money into his campaign. Additionally, there are concerns about whether Adams intervened with the FDNY to expedite permits for a new Turkish Consulate that had previously failed safety inspections. While these allegations have not resulted in any charges against Adams or his team, the FBI’s probe continues to uncover information in connection with the campaign fundraising scandal.
The investigation has put a spotlight on the inner workings of Adams’ team and City Hall, particularly regarding protocols for fundraising and interactions with foreign governments. Abbasova’s involvement in the investigation as a key aide to the mayor has added a layer of complexity to the situation. As a high-ranking official responsible for coordinating international affairs, her cooperation with the FBI could potentially shed light on the extent of any wrongdoing within the campaign. The mayor’s response to the investigation and the actions taken by City Hall in response to Abbasova’s suspension will likely impact the outcome of the investigation and the public perception of Adams’ administration.
Despite the ongoing FBI probe and Abbasova’s cooperation with federal authorities, Mayor Eric Adams and his team continue to deny any wrongdoing in connection with the campaign fundraising scandal. The investigation is ongoing, and details regarding the extent of potential illegal activities and the involvement of Adams and his associates remain unclear. The mayor’s former chief counsel’s response to Abbasova’s cooperation suggests that the administration has been forthcoming in reporting any inappropriate conduct to authorities. As the investigation unfolds, the public will be looking for transparency and accountability from City Hall and the mayor’s office to address any concerns and ensure that integrity and ethical standards are upheld in local government.
