Federal Authorities Summon New York Mayor’s Asylum Seeker Operations Director

NEW YORK – Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed the director of New York City’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, the latest sign of tightening federal scrutiny of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.

Molly Schaeffer, who coordinates the city’s efforts to provide housing and social services to newly arrived migrants, received the request for information from federal authorities on Friday morning, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to discuss the request.

It was not initially clear what information federal authorities were seeking or whether the subpoena related to multiple ongoing federal law enforcement investigations into Adams, a first-term Democrat and former police captain.

Schaeffer referred questions to Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy, who declined to comment on the investigation.

“We expect all team members to fully comply with any ongoing investigations,” Levy wrote in a text message. “Molly Schaeffer is an integral part of our team and works hard every day to deliver for New Yorkers.”

Schaeffer has not been charged with any wrongdoing. Federal prosecutors often issue subpoenas seeking evidence and potential witnesses, not necessarily because they believe the recipient committed a crime.

Email inquiries to the U.S. attorneys’ offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn went unanswered.

In his current role, Schaeffer works closely with another senior assistant to the mayor, Tim Pearson, a longtime confidant of Adams’ who oversees contracts for new shelters built by the city to house asylum seekers.

Earlier this month, federal agents seized Pearson’s phones, along with those of several other top mayoral deputies, including the New York City Police Commissioner, the schools chancellor and two deputy mayors. Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned last week.

The seizures are believed to be related to investigations overseen by the United States Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, which is examining whether relatives of high-ranking Adams associates exploited their family connections for financial gain.

In July, Adams received his own subpoena from federal prosecutors, seeking information from him, his campaign and City Hall. The request came eight months after FBI agents seized the mayor’s phones and iPad as he left an event in Manhattan. The subpoenas sought information about the mayor’s schedule, his foreign travel and potential ties to the Turkish government, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the investigation.

Adams was also not charged with any crimes.

A separate federal investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn is believed to be aimed at investigating Winnie Greco, Adams’ Asian affairs director.

Schaeffer has led the office of asylum seekers since it was created last year, overseeing the city’s response to the arrival of more than 200,000 migrants and the sweeping effort to house and feed the wave of new arrivals.

She previously worked for Adams’ predecessor, Mayor Bill de Blasio.