Turkish Businessman Faces $250K Fine and Jail Time for Illegally Donating to NY Mayor Eric Adams' Campaign

Prosecutors seek a lenient sentence for Arkan, whose testimony could strengthen the case against Mayor Adams.

By Thea Felicity

Jan 11 2025, 01:45 AM EST

New York City Mayor Eric Adams Delivers — NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 09: Mayor Eric Adams speaks during State of the City address at the Apollo Theater on January 09, 2025 in New York City. Mayor Adams gave his fourth State of the City address where he highlighted his administrations work on public safety, quality of life issues, the migrant crisis, homelessness, and the cost of living. The speech comes as he seeks re-election under a federal indictment. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A Turkish-born businessman from Brooklyn faces charges for illegally financing Eric Adams' mayoral campaign in New York in 2021.

The businessman, who also owns KSK Construction Group, Erden Arkan, pleaded guilty in a federal bribery case. In this case, it was admitted that he was involved in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He acknowledged orchestrating a "straw donor" scheme in which workers were repaid for their donations to get around campaign finance rules.

According to the NY Post, Arkan said he understood the money was being spent to win matching funds. The plot supposedly began with a Turkish diplomat, who asked Arkan to play along. The indictment stated that Adams also received free or significantly reduced luxury travel while serving as Brooklyn Borough President in exchange for political favors, including accelerating the opening of the Turkish Consulate.

He denied any wrongdoing and his defense lawyers say no evidence from Arkan implicates him.

Prosecutors have recommended a lenient sentence for Arkan, suggesting up to six months in jail and a $9,500 fine, far below the potential five-year maximum sentence and $250,000 fine. The Turkish businessman will also pay $18,000 in restitution.

He was released on $100,000 bail and is scheduled for sentencing in August, following Adams' trial in April. Prosecutors believe Arkan's testimony could be crucial in building their case against the mayor.

Possible Federal Case Against Mayor Eric Adams

The federal investigation against Adams started when federal agents raided KSK Construction in 2023. Prosecutors claim Adams personally solicited donations at a dinner in April 2021. The case has heated up with prosecutors revealing additional potential wrongdoing by Adams and his associates, and has since opened the question of the depth of corruption within the mayor's campaign, per The New York Times.

Although the defendant accepted a plea deal, the defense remains upbeat, as no evidence from discovery shows that Adams has any involvement in Arkan's activities.