NEW YORK — A real estate mogul based in Brooklyn has admitted guilt in federal court for collaborating with a Turkish official to make unlawful campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Erden Arkan, aged 76, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge during a session at the Manhattan federal court. In front of the judge, he acknowledged knowingly breaching the law by reimbursing employees at his construction company for donations they made to the Democrat’s electoral campaign. “When I wrote the checks, I knew the Eric Adams campaign would use the checks to apply for public matching funds,” Arkan stated.
Arkan is among several individuals entangled in a large bribery and illegal campaign finance case against Adams, which was initiated in September. Notably, he is the first to plead guilty publicly in connection to this matter.
During the court proceedings, prosecutors presented Judge Dale E. Ho with a substantial amount of evidence, including recorded conversations and emails, indicating that Arkan collaborated with a Turkish consular official to facilitate the illegal straw donations. They contend that Adams actively sought these contributions from both Arkan and the Turkish representative during a dinner in April 2021. In May of that year, Arkan hosted a fundraising event at his construction firm, KSK, where ten employees contributed amounts ranging from $1,200 to $1,500 to Adams’s campaign. Subsequently, they were reimbursed by Arkan, rendering their contributions illegal. Prosecutors allege that Adams used these funds to fraudulently claim public money from the city’s matching funds program, designed to amplify small-dollar donations.
After the hearing, both Arkan and his lawyer, Jonathan Rosen, chose not to comment as they left the courtroom.
An attorney representing Adams, Alex Spiro, asserted that the plea would have “no bearing on the mayor’s case whatsoever.”
Arkan, who is a prominent figure in New York’s Turkish community, has had connections with Adams that first came to light in November when federal agents conducted searches at his home and the residences of Adams’ chief fundraiser and his liaison to the Turkish community.
Adams subsequently faced charges related to accepting bribes, including luxury travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign individuals looking to secure influence. He has pleaded not guilty to these accusations and expressed his commitment to remaining in office while vigorously contesting the charges “with every ounce of my strength and my spirit.”
Adams is scheduled to go on trial on April 21st, while Arkan’s sentencing is set for August.
