NEW YORK — Erden Arkan — whose Brooklyn-based and Ankara-linked construction firm was searched by the FBI as part of a federal probe into Mayor Eric Adams — pleaded guilty to federal charges Monday.
Prosecutors had accused Arkan of making false campaign contributions to the Democratic mayor’s 2021 account.
The plea is another blow to Adams, who is set to begin trial in April on federal bribery charges that he’s pleaded not guilty to. Prosecutors allege individuals connected with the Turkish government funneled illegal campaign contributions and bribes to Adams in exchange for influence in City Hall. Adams is charged with wire fraud, bribery and soliciting contributions from a foreign national.
Adams, who is running for reelection, contends the charges are political retribution for his public criticism of President Joe Biden’s handling of the migrant crisis.
Arkan is listed in the 59-page indictment against Adams under the alias “Businessman-5,” and prosecutors allege Adams sought and accepted straw donations from Arkan.
His guilty plea comes one year after a POLITICO report detailed how Arkan listed his 19-year-old daughter as the COO of one of his companies and a donor to Adams’ reelection campaign in campaign contribution records. When contacted by POLITICO, Arkan’s daughter denied making any donations to Adams and said the title was false.
Arkan’s construction company KSK, which has ties to Turkey, has faced intense scrutiny ever since the facts of the federal probe against Adams emerged.
In November 2023 the home of Adams’ campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs was searched by federal agents — the first of a long string of federal raids in connection with the mayor’s dealings with the Turkish government. The search of Suggs’ home was believed to be connected to KSK, according to multiple reports at the time.
“In connection with this case, Arkan has indicated that he wishes to plead guilty,” the filing states.
“We know from the government’s own interviews that Mr. Arkan repeatedly said that Mayor Adams had no knowledge of his actions,” the mayor’s attorney, Alex Spiro, said in a statement. “Mr. Arkan’s conduct will have no bearing on the Mayor’s case whatsoever.”
Joe Anuta contributed to this report.