Ex-Obama press sec allegedly stole from staff for Kratom habit
Former Barack Obama press secretary, Adam Fetcher, was recently fired from his role as Chief Communications Officer (CCO) for the City of Minneapolis after allegedly stealing cash and credit cards from city employees to support his addiction to kratom. Kratom is a natural drug commonly used to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Fetcher, who was earning nearly $200,000 a year, is accused of stealing cash and credit cards from three fellow city hall employees. He allegedly used the stolen cards to make fraudulent purchases at tobacco stores, including a transaction of $481 at a smoke shop in south Minneapolis where he bought kratom. Surveillance footage reportedly captured him using the stolen card for the purchase.
The thefts occurred between May and June, shortly after Fetcher returned from a rehab center for substance use disorder, for which he had taken nine weeks of personal leave in February. Kratom, derived from Asian plant leaves, can have both stimulant and sedative effects depending on the dosage. Despite being legal and available over the counter at local stores, it is not listed as a controlled substance.
Fetcher’s abrupt dismissal from his role at Minneapolis City Hall came on July 1. He was appointed by Mayor Jacob Frey in July 2025, becoming the city’s first-ever cabinet-level CCO. Prior to this role, Fetcher had served as deputy national press secretary for the Obama administration and held senior communications positions in the private sector.
Following Fetcher’s departure, an email alerting city employees about missing cash, debit, or credit cards was sent out by City Operations Manager Margaret Anderson Kelliher. She reassured employees that the city takes such reports seriously and has taken appropriate action. Chris Kelly, a former communications director with the state’s Management and Budget office, has been appointed as an interim replacement for Fetcher.
Police have submitted a case file against Fetcher to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for potential criminal charges, as the investigation into the alleged theft and fraud continues. Fetcher’s defense attorney, Nicole Kettwick, declined to comment, and court records show no prior criminal history for Fetcher in Minnesota except for minor traffic infractions. The County Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the case.
