Ex-Obama Press Aide Fired After Alleged $481 Kratom Buy With Stolen Card
A former Obama administration press aide is out of a top City Hall job in Minneapolis after police opened an investigation into alleged theft and credit card fraud involving his co-workers.
Adam Fetcher, 42, had been serving as Minneapolis’ chief communications officer. The city fired him after allegations surfaced that cash and credit cards were taken from desks and purses inside City Hall, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Fetcher is accused of stealing from at least three city employees. Investigators say the stolen cards were then used for hundreds of dollars in purchases at local tobacco shops.
One purchase drew special attention. Police reportedly said surveillance video showed Fetcher using one of the stolen cards to buy $481 worth of kratom. Kratom is an herbal substance often sold for pain relief and opioid withdrawal, though it has also raised concerns among health officials because of dependency risks.
The case began to tighten after a customer reported an unauthorized charge, according to the report. Store workers then contacted police. When Fetcher allegedly came back to the shop, employees photographed him, followed him outside, and recorded his license plate number.
Store manager Hamza Zamara told the Star Tribune, “We told him, ‘Hey, we know what you’re doing,’”
https://x.com/StarTribune/status/2075301630023455224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The alleged thefts happened between May and June. That timing is notable because Fetcher had recently returned from a nine-week leave for treatment at a rehabilitation facility for an unspecified substance use disorder.
Fetcher was appointed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in July 2025. The role made him the city’s first cabinet-level chief communications officer. The job paid nearly $190,000 a year.
Before taking the Minneapolis post, Fetcher worked as deputy national press secretary in the Obama administration. He later held communications jobs with Patagonia, Rivian, and Lyft.
City employees were alerted this week about reports involving missing cash, debit cards, credit cards, and unauthorized charges.
In an email obtained by the Star Tribune, City Operations Manager Margaret Anderson Kelliher wrote, “I know this information may be concerning and troubling, and I want to assure you that the City takes this sort of report seriously and has acted accordingly.”
She also wrote, “Although we cannot provide additional details, we have no reason at this time to believe there is any ongoing risk of theft,”
Police have sent the case to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review. Possible criminal charges are now in the hands of prosecutors.
Fetcher has not commented publicly so far. Court records cited in the report show no prior criminal history in Minnesota beyond minor traffic violations.