Turkish businessman hit with probation, fines for funneling illegal cash to Mayor Adams' campaign

Brooklyn construction company executive Erden Arkan was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay more than $27,000 in fines Friday after pleading guilty to pumping illegal straw donations into Mayor Adams’ 2021 campaign coffers as part of a scheme prosecutors say involved Turkey’s government.

Though the related criminal case against Adams is over, it was revealed in court Friday that Arkan has been cooperating in the city Campaign Finance Board’s ongoing investigation into allegations that the mayor’s 2021 and 2025 campaigns engaged in a variety of straw donor schemes.

Arkan, a Turkish national and owner of Williamsburg-based KSK Construction who first pleaded guilty in January, was on the verge of tears as he accepted his sentence during a morning hearing in Manhattan Federal Court.

“I feel profound sadness for the choices I (made),” he said, his voice cracking up. “I’m sincerely sorry to the New York City taxpayers … I also apologize to this court.”


https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/08/15/turkish-businessman-hit-with-probation-fines-for-funneling-illegal-cash-to-mayor-adams-campaign/