Former Obama Press Aide Fired from Minneapolis City Role Amid Allegations of Theft for Kratom Purchases

Adam Fetcher, who previously served as a deputy press secretary in the Obama administration, was terminated from his position with the City of Minneapolis last week. He faces allegations of stealing cash and credit cards from his colleagues to acquire an herbal supplement often used for symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Fetcher, 42, had been a communications officer for the city for a year before his dismissal. Reports indicate the alleged thefts from fellow city employees occurred after he returned from a work-approved, multi-week rehabilitation program, according to local media accounts.

Allegations of Workplace Theft

Surveillance cameras reportedly captured Fetcher at a Minneapolis smoke shop purchasing kratom. This supplement is known for its use in managing opioid withdrawal symptoms, though it carries its own potential for addiction.

One specific incident detailed involves Fetcher allegedly taking a charge card from a city employee's purse and using it to make a $481 purchase at the Minneapolis Tobacco & Vapor shop. The establishment is located less than a mile from his residence. Hamza Zamara, the store manager, stated that his staff assisted investigators in identifying Fetcher as the individual who purportedly used unauthorized cards for transactions.

Authorities began focusing on the shop after a woman contacted the store, reporting an unapproved purchase made with her card. When Fetcher reportedly visited the shop again, employees took photographs of him and observed him leaving the premises. They subsequently provided investigators with his vehicle's license plate number.

"We told him, ‘Hey, we know what you’re doing,’" Zamara recounted.

City's Response and Internal Communication

Fetcher, who earned an annual salary of $186,000, was officially fired on July 1.

Margaret Anderson Kelliher, the City Operations Officer, informed staff of Fetcher's termination via email. Her message noted that "Under Adam’s leadership, the Communications team has reorganized, is fully staffed, and is well positioned to manage the City’s Communications needs." However, the email did not disclose the reasons behind Fetcher's departure.

In a separate internal memo, Kelliher addressed reports from several city employees regarding missing cash, debit, or credit cards, along with unauthorized charges. These incidents were reported to have taken place between mid-May and June.

"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," Kelliher wrote in the memo, which was obtained by local press. "Although we cannot provide additional details, we have no reason at this time to believe there is any ongoing risk of theft."

Fetcher's Professional Background

Beyond his role as deputy national press secretary during the Obama administration, Fetcher held significant communications positions with prominent companies such as Patagonia, Rivian, and Lyft.