NYC Mayor Eric Adams Accused of $10M Fraud Scheme and Ties to Illegal Turkish Campaign Funding
New York Mayor Eric Adams is facing serious allegations involving bribery and illegal campaign financing related to his 2021 mayoral run, according to an indictment released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The indictment claims that Adams fraudulently secured over $10 million in public funds by submitting false documentation as part of his campaign finance reports.
The charges allege that Adams accepted luxury international travel provided by Turkish Airlines at no cost, sponsored by at least one official from the Turkish government. These trips, which allegedly included destinations such as France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, and Turkey, were arranged by the Turkish national carrier and included complimentary stays in high-end hotels, meals at upscale restaurants, and other luxury perks during his visits.
A central claim in the indictment involves “straw donors” — individuals who illegally use another person’s money to make political donations in their own names. Adams is accused of accepting illegal campaign contributions through these intermediaries, which were then falsely documented as legitimate donations. Some of these straw donors are said to have also provided other inappropriate benefits to Adams, such as luxury gifts and additional perks.
The indictment further claims that Adams used his influence to assist a Turkish diplomat, who allegedly played a key role in facilitating these illegal donations. This diplomat reportedly helped arrange for Adams and his associates to receive free or discounted travel. In return, it is alleged that Adams applied pressure on the New York Fire Department (FDNY) to bypass fire safety inspections for the opening of the Turkish consulate building, known as the “Turkevi,” in Manhattan. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Adams reportedly told the Turkish official after these favors, “Now it’s my turn to repay you.”
A particularly striking allegation is that Adams exerted influence on FDNY officials, allegedly threatening the job of the officer responsible for the building’s fire safety evaluation if the Turkevi’s opening was delayed. As a result, the building opened without undergoing the required fire inspections.
The indictment also highlights the misuse of New York City’s public matching funds program. This program is designed to amplify small donations from city residents by matching them with public funds, up to eight times the original contribution. The indictment accuses Adams of submitting fraudulent documentation based on illegal donations, thereby securing $2,000 in matching public funds for each illegal contribution. Ultimately, this scheme allowed Adams to amass over $10 million in public funding during his campaign.
The case, which is still unfolding, has raised significant questions about the integrity of Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign and the broader implications of foreign influence and campaign finance violations in U.S. elections.
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