NYC Businessman Will Plead Guilty In Mayor Adams' Federal Case

NEW YORK CITY — A Brooklyn businessman is expected to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge in the federal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in which the mayor is accused of soliciting illegal campaign contributions from Turkish officials.

Erden Arkan, a co-owner of KSK, a Brooklyn-based construction firm, plans to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge alleging he committed wire fraud through the collection of campaign contributions made under the name of someone other than the true contributor, according to an NBC New York report.

According to federal prosecutors, Adams personally solicited illegal campaign contributions from Arkan at an April 2021 dinner hosted by a Turkish government official, according to the report.

Arkan then hosted a fundraiser for Adams where 11 of his employees donated between $1,200 and $1,500 to the campaign. Each was reimbursed by the construction firm — making the contributions illegal straw donations, prosecutors said.

Adams' federal corruption trial is expected to begin on April 21, 2025.

The mayor's lawyers have previously said they want the case to be resolved by the time the ballot is set for the Democratic primary election.

Adams faces one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, two counts of solicitation of a contribution from a foreign national and one count of bribery, Patch previously reported.

Prosecutors allege Adams received benefits and perks from the Turkish officials, including free and discounted airline tickets and hotel accommodations.

The perks were worth more than $100,000, prosecutors said.