NYC mayor questioned in campaign corruption allegations

Feb. 25 (UPI) -- The FBI and federal prosecutors questioned New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday in a widening probe into alleged questionable campaign fundraising measures used in his 2013 run.

Multiple news outlets reported U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara is scrutinizing the mayor and his staff over allegations they broke campaign finance laws in fundraising by giving campaign donors special privileges.

De Blasio and others were questioned for some four hours. The mayor continues to deny any wrongdoing. The probe began about a year ago.

"We remain confident that at all times the mayor and his staff acted appropriately and well within the law," the mayor's press secretary, Eric Phillips, said in a written statement. "We hope our continued cooperation will help bring a swift conclusion to the U.S. attorney's review."

Among those questioning the mayor were about six prosecutors and several FBI agents, including the chief of the Public Corruption Squad.