A Brooklyn real estate magnate, aged 76, has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in Manhattan federal court. The individual, Erden Arkan, admitted to working with a Turkish government official to funnel illegal campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Arkan acknowledged that he violated the law by reimbursing employees of his construction firm for their donations to Mayor Adams' campaign.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including recordings and emails, demonstrating that Arkan conspired with the Turkish consular official to orchestrate the illegal straw donations. Allegations suggest that Mayor Adams personally solicited these donations during a dinner in April 2021. Subsequently, Arkan organized a fundraiser at his construction company, where employees made donations ranging from $1,200 to $1,500 to the campaign. These employees were later reimbursed by Arkan, rendering the donations illegal.
It is claimed that Mayor Adams utilized these funds to fraudulently obtain public money through the city's matching funds program, which offers a substantial match for small-dollar donations.
Arkan's guilty plea marks the first public proceeding in a bribery and illegal campaign finance indictment involving Mayor Adams. Despite the plea, an attorney for Mayor Adams has stated that it will not impact the mayor's case.
Arkan, a prominent figure in New York's Turkish community, came under scrutiny in November 2023 when federal investigators searched his residence, along with the homes of Mayor Adams' chief fundraiser and liaison to the Turkish community. Mayor Adams has been charged with accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals seeking to influence him for personal gain. He has pleaded not guilty and intends to continue serving as mayor while contesting the charges.
Arkan is scheduled to be sentenced in August, while Mayor Adams is set to face trial on April 21st.
