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FBI probe examining whether Adams fast-tracked Turkish
Consulate General building: reports
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A public corruption probe is investigating whether Mayor Eric Adams cut through red tape regarding the occupancy of the Turkish Consulate General in New
York. Photo credit Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
By Erin White NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Federal investigators are looking into
whether Mayor Eric Adams, weeks before his 2021 election, pushed New
York Fire Department officials to approve the Manhattan high-rise housing the
new Turkish Consulate General and ignore safety issues with the building,
3 hours ago according to a report by the New York Times.
Adams reached out to then-FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro in the late
summer of 2021, pressuring him to allow Turkish officials to occupy the
building despite fire officials citing safety issues and previously refusing to
sign off on occupancy, the report said.
The building in question is the now-Turkevi Center at 821 First Avenue, near
the UN headquarters in Midtown East. The Turkevi Center also houses the
Permanent Mission of Turkey to the United Nations.
The building had its grand opening on Sept. 21, 2021, which Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended despite the reported flaws in the fire safety
system.
The Turkish Consulate General in New York building opened September 2021. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via
Getty Images
Adams’ intervention in the housing of the Turkish Consulate General is being
examined in the context of a greater federal public corruption investigation
that led to his electronics, including at least two cell phones and an iPad,
being seized by the FBI on Monday.
The FBI probe is focused on whether Adams’ 2021 campaign colluded with
the Turkish government, including the Turkish Consulate General in New York,
to receive illegal foreign donations.
A construction company in Brooklyn, KSK Construction, is an area of interest
for federal investigators who are evaluating if the company, owned by Turkish
immigrants, illegally funneled money into the Adams campaign.
The investigation came into the public eye when the Brooklyn home of
Adams’ chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, was raided on Nov. 3. This prompted
Adams to return to New York and cancel several high-profile meetings in
Washington, D.C. regarding the migrant crisis.
In a statement issued by his campaign Adams, who served as Brooklyn
borough president until 2021, relegated the communications as constituent
services.
“As a Borough President, part of my routine role was to notify government
agencies of issues on behalf of constituents and constituencies. I have not
been accused of wrongdoing and will continue to cooperate with
I
investigators,” the statement said.
1010 WINS/WCBS 880 has reached out to Adams for comment.
Amid the seizure of Adam’s devices, campaign attorney Boyd Johnson said
Adams gave his devices to investigators after finding out “an individual had
recently acted improperly.”
“In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behavior was immediately
and proactively reported to investigators,” Johnson said. “The mayor has not
been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the
investigation.”
Adams reinforced his commitment to cooperation on Friday when he
confirmed that his devices were taken.
“As a former member of law enforcement, expect all members of my staff to
I
follow the law and fully cooperate with any sort of investigation and I will
continue to do exactly that. I have nothing to hide,” Adams said.
Eric Adams New York City Midtown Federal Investigation
Featured Image Photo Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
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