Adam Fetcher, who previously served as a press secretary for former President Barack Obama, was fired from his role as Minneapolis's Chief Communications Officer after allegations of workplace theft and substance abuse surfaced. Fetcher, 42, was dismissed from his position after approximately one year amid a police investigation into claims that he stole cash and credit cards from city employees to support a kratom habit.
According to reports citing sources familiar with the investigation, Fetcher is accused of taking money and credit cards from the personal belongings of at least three city hall employees. The fraudulent charges allegedly amounted to hundreds of dollars, primarily at local tobacco stores. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Fetcher using one of the stolen cards to purchase $481 worth of kratom, a herbal supplement often used to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms, at a smoke shop less than a mile from his home.
If prosecutors decide to pursue charges, the amount of alleged card fraud could qualify as a felony offense under state law. Employees at the smoke shop contacted the police after a customer reported an unauthorized transaction. Store employees later identified Fetcher and provided his license plate number to law enforcement.
The alleged thefts occurred between May and June, shortly after Fetcher had returned from a work-approved leave for substance use treatment. He had taken nine weeks of personal leave in February for rehabilitation and returned to his duties in mid-April.
Fetcher was appointed to the newly created cabinet-level CCO position by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in July 2025, earning an annual salary close to $190,000. His prior experience includes serving as deputy national press secretary for the Obama administration and holding senior communications roles in the private sector for companies such as Patagonia, Rivian, and Lyft.
On July 1, Fetcher was terminated from his position. City Operations Manager Margaret Anderson Kelliher sent an email to city employees on Wednesday acknowledging reports of missing cash, debit, and credit cards, and unauthorized charges. The email stated that Fetcher was being replaced on an interim basis by Chris Kelly, a former communications director for the state's Management and Budget office. Kelliher assured employees that the city was taking the reports seriously and had acted accordingly, adding that there was no reason to believe there was any ongoing risk of theft.
An attorney for Fetcher declined to comment on the matter. Court records indicate Fetcher has no prior criminal history in Minnesota beyond minor traffic violations. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed that a case file was submitted by the police for review of potential criminal charges.