Mayor Eric Adams operated at least seven different cell phone numbers during a federal corruption investigation that led to his indictment, raising serious questions about his attempts to conceal communications from authorities.
Key Takeaways
- NYC Mayor Eric Adams used at least seven different cellphone numbers while under federal investigation since August 2021
- Adams claims the multiple phones were necessary to separate office, personal, and campaign communications
- Federal authorities tracked his location via cellphone data and seized his devices in November 2023
- Adams was indicted on charges including bribery, wire fraud, and solicitation of illegal foreign donations
- The Mayor recently met with President Trump after his corruption case was dismissed
Multiple Phones Raise Red Flags
The federal investigation into New York City Mayor Eric Adams revealed a concerning pattern of cellphone usage that has fueled speculation about potential attempts to evade scrutiny. According to recently released federal documents, Adams utilized at least seven different phone numbers during the period he was under investigation. This revelation came to light after authorities tracked his communications dating back to August 2021, ultimately leading to his indictment on serious corruption charges in September.
Adams has attempted to justify his multiple phone usage as a normal organizational practice. “You have your office phone, you have your personal phone — you can’t mix the two,” Mr. Adams told reporters over the weekend, adding: “Many New Yorkers have several phones. I had also my campaign phone. So there’s a series of phones that you hav,.” said Mr. Adams
FBI’s Strategic Device Seizure
The investigation took a dramatic turn in November 2023 when federal authorities confiscated Adams’ devices. Court documents reveal that the FBI had strategically planned the seizure, initially considering taking his phones during the high-profile New York City Marathon. This plan was ultimately abandoned in favor of stopping him after an event at New York University the following day, but the Mayor has expressed feeling deliberately targeted for public humiliation during the process.
“I was targeted for humiliation. And think about this for a moment, Marcia. They, I went to the marathon. I was there to hold the tape. They were plotting at the marathon, where the globe was watching who crossed the end … They were hoping to take my phones on the international scale,” said Eric Adams
Serious Corruption Charges
The investigation culminated in an indictment charging Adams with bribery, wire fraud, and solicitation of illegal foreign donations. Federal authorities have assembled approximately 1,700 pages of investigative documents, providing unprecedented insight into the Mayor’s personal habits and lifestyle. These documents included warrants for searches of multiple locations, including the condominium where Adams’ girlfriend resides, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Adams has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the process. The investigation has raised important questions about the separation between official duties and personal or campaign activities among elected officials, especially regarding digital communications. The sheer number of phones used by Adams has become a focal point in discussions about transparency in public office.
NBC NEWS: Federal agents investigating New York City Mayor Eric Adams were still seizing phones and applying for search warrants days before Justice Department leaders ordered prosecutors to drop the corruption case, according to documents released Friday.
The trove of court… pic.twitter.com/m77YXOCVnB
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) May 10, 2025
Meeting With President Trump
In a recent development, Mayor Adams had his first face-to-face meeting with President Trump since the Justice Department dropped his case. This meeting has generated significant interest, particularly regarding the nature of their discussion and Adams’ apparent gratitude toward the President. The Mayor has emphasized that the meeting focused on infrastructure concerns and a halted offshore wind farm project, though the context of their interaction continues to be a subject of speculation.
“And the first thing I did when I walked in his office is say thank you,” said Eric Adams
The dismissal of Adams’ corruption case represents a significant turn of events, though questions remain about the Mayor’s conduct during the investigation period. His use of multiple phones, combined with the FBI’s intensive tracking of his communications and movements, suggests a level of scrutiny rarely seen for a sitting mayor of America’s largest city. While Adams describes feeling vindicated, the investigation has left lingering questions about governance practices and accountability in New York City leadership.
