NEW YORK- Law enforcement sources confirmed on Friday that the FBI is investigating the business class upgrades Mayor Eric Adams obtained on Turkish Airlines (TK) as part of the federal inquiry into his 2021 campaign finances.
The investigation extends to Adams’ international flight accommodations both during his tenure as Brooklyn borough president and since assuming the mayoral office in January 2022.
FBI Investigates New York Mayor Finances
Adams has not been implicated in any wrongdoing. The scrutiny surrounding his travel arrangements is part of a broader investigation by Manhattan federal prosecutors, which was disclosed in November, focusing on allegations that the Turkish government unlawfully channeled funds into Adams’ campaign.
As part of this inquiry, at least three individuals associated with Adams have had their residences searched by federal authorities. This includes former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Ocal, who served on the mayor’s transitional team, and City Hall aide Rana Abbasova.
Mayor Adams’ attorney, Brendan McGuire, has refuted any allegations of impropriety, stating that there was no ulterior motive in accepting the upgrades, as The New York Times initially reported.
McGuire stated, “During his tenure as borough president, the mayor consistently disclosed his official travel to Turkey, did not receive any improper upgrades, and engaged in no improper conduct in exchange for any upgrades. Speculation lacks substantiation. We anticipate a fair and expeditious resolution to this investigation.”
While serving as Brooklyn borough president, Adams traveled on Turkish Airlines multiple times during his numerous visits to the Middle Eastern nation. However, the exact number of upgrades he received remains unclear.
As mayor, Adams has traveled to Greece and Qatar — countries serviced by the airline from JFK Airport, with layovers in Istanbul — although it is unknown whether he utilized the carrier for these trips in 2022.
Link Back to 2015
The association between Adams and the airline, which is partially owned by the Turkish government’s sovereign wealth fund, traces back to 2015 during his tenure as Brooklyn borough president.
During this period, Adams and his team traveled to Turkey twice within four months, with the expenses covered by the airline, as part of official borough duties to engage with local officials and explore a potential sister city agreement, as reported by the Times.
These trips, disclosed through emails obtained by the NY Post, followed a meeting between Adams and a delegation of Turkish Airlines executives facilitated by Abbasova, who then served as a liaison to the Turkish community in Brooklyn.
Two years later, during his fifth visit to Turkey, Adams extolled the airline’s virtues in a publication affiliated with the Turkish government, stating, “Turkish Airlines is my preferred mode of travel,” and expressed intentions to acquire property in Istanbul.
Love for Turkey
Adams has been outspoken about his admiration for Turkey. During a flag-raising ceremony in October, just before the FBI raids and in anticipation of Turkey’s centennial as a republic, the mayor proudly highlighted his connections to the country.
“I believe I’m perhaps the only mayor in the city’s history who has not only visited Turkey once, but I think this marks my sixth or seventh visit,” Adams remarked.
The prominent federal investigation came to light on November 2nd when the FBI conducted a raid on Adams’ primary campaign fundraiser, Brianna Suggs. This event prompted the mayor to abruptly cut short his visit to Washington D.C., where he was scheduled to discuss New York City’s ongoing migrant crisis with the White House.
In the ensuing days, federal agents approached the mayor on the street and confiscated his phones and other electronic devices, marking an unprecedented action by federal authorities.
Subsequently, City Hall reported Abbasova, who served as the mayor’s director of protocol for international affairs at the time, to the appropriate authorities, citing her alleged inappropriate conduct during the campaign.
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