Federal law enforcement officials issued a subpoena to NYC's Director of Asylum Seeker Operations Molly Schaeffer on Friday, according to surveillance footage and reports from the Associated Press and Gothamist.
A doorman at her parents' building confirmed that law enforcement officials visited the location. However, the purpose of the visit remains unclear. There are several ongoing federal investigations into NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign and his top aides. Earlier this month, federal agents reportedly seized the phones of a top adviser involved in contracts tied to the migrant crisis.
The city’s emergency no-bid contracts for migrant services total $3 billion and have been criticized for mismanagement and waste.
Earlier this year, the city said it would no longer employ DocGo, a medical services company that was accused of improper conduct, including hiring subcontractors who mistreated and lied to migrants and threw out massive amounts of food, reported Gothamist.
Schaeffer denied that officials searched her apartment but acknowledged their visit. "Searching is a strong word," she said, referring further questions to a City Hall spokesperson.
Fabien Levy, deputy mayor for communications, declined to comment on specifics but said, “We expect all team members to fully comply with any ongoing inquiry. Molly Schaeffer is an integral part of our team.”
Schaeffer has worked closely with Adams on services for the city’s migrant population. She previously served as Adams’ deputy chief of staff.
Another senior adviser, Timothy Pearson, whose phone was seized in an earlier investigation, is also under scrutiny for his role in managing emergency contracts, which total $3 billion.
Pearson has faced multiple controversies, including a lawsuit over alleged profiteering and another for sexual harassment and retaliation. Adams has continued to defend Pearson despite these allegations.
In addition, the New York Times reported on Sunday that Thomas Donlon, the interim police commissioner, said federal agents searched and seized material from his home.
“They took materials that came into my possession approximately 20 years ago and are unrelated to my work with the New York City Police Department,” Donlon said in a news release. “This is not a department matter, and the department will not be commenting.”
Donlon did not offer details about the materials that were seized, the paper said. According to two federal officials with knowledge of the matter, the materials were classified documents that had been in Donlon’s possession for years, the Times reported.
