Adam Fetcher, a former communications official for the Obama administration, was terminated from his senior position with the City of Minneapolis on July 1 following an internal investigation into allegations of theft from coworkers. Fetcher, 42, served as Minneapolis’ chief communications officer, a cabinet-level role created by Mayor Jacob Frey in July 2025, earning an annual salary of $186,495. He had held the position for approximately one year before his dismissal.
The city launched an internal probe after several employees reported cash, debit cards, and credit cards missing from desks and purses within city offices. The alleged incidents occurred between mid-May and early June, shortly after Fetcher returned to work following a nine-week leave of absence. This leave had been approved for him to receive treatment for a substance abuse disorder.
Prior to his tenure with the City of Minneapolis, Fetcher had a notable career in both public and private sector communications. He served as deputy national press secretary for President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign and later worked in communications for the U.S. Department of the Interior. His private sector experience included communications and public relations roles at major companies such as Patagonia, Lyft, New Belgium Brewing, and Rivian.
According to reports from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, surveillance footage from a smoke shop located in south Minneapolis allegedly showed Fetcher using one of the stolen credit cards on June 18. The footage reportedly captured him purchasing approximately $481 worth of kratom. The smoke shop is situated less than a mile from Fetcher’s residence. Employees at the store reportedly identified Fetcher as a frequent customer who regularly bought kratom, assisting investigators by confirming his identity and providing his vehicle’s license plate number after a customer disputed an unauthorized transaction.
Authorities allege that the stolen financial cards were used to make hundreds of dollars in fraudulent purchases, primarily at tobacco stores and smoke shops across the Minneapolis area. The Minneapolis Police Department investigated the allegations and submitted the completed case to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on July 8 for review. As of Saturday, prosecutors had not yet filed criminal charges. A spokesperson for Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty confirmed that the case remains under review.
Under Minnesota state law, financial transaction card fraud can be prosecuted as a felony, with the severity of the charge often dependent on the total value of the alleged fraudulent transactions. The legal process will determine whether charges are filed and, if so, the subsequent steps in the judicial system.
Kratom, the substance allegedly purchased with a stolen card, is a plant-derived supplement. It remains legal under federal law in the United States and is derived from the leaves of the Southeast Asian tree Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom is known to interact with opioid receptors in the brain and is commonly used for pain relief, mood enhancement, or to manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal. However, health experts have issued warnings regarding its use, noting that regular consumption can lead to physical dependence and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, muscle aches, and irritability. The ongoing review by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will dictate the next steps in this developing case.
