Adams denies knowledge of New York construction company at the center of campaign investigation, but has ‘communicated’ with controversial fundraiser

Mayor Eric Adams has denied any knowledge of the construction company, which is now under federal investigation in connection with his campaign finances.

During a television interview, Mayor Adams was asked directly if he had any association or prior involvement with the Williamsburg-based KSK Construction Group.

“Not to my knowledge,” he replied, characterizing it as one of many bodies that had donated to his finances.

“I don’t know this organization at all… It’s one of many different groups and organizations contributing to the campaign,” Adams added.

KSK Construction is under investigation for alleged involvement in a kickback scheme with the Turkish government to funnel money into Adams’ successful 2021 mayoral campaign, which led to the FBI raiding the home of Adams’ chief fundraiser on Thursday.

Agents searched the home of Brianna Suggs (left), a campaign consultant and one of his top fundraisers

In a television interview, Eric Adams said he believed there was no misconduct in his 2021 campaign, stating: ‘Sometimes there’s smoke without fire’

Construction company co-owner Erden Arkan has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Adams further revealed that he had been in contact with his main fundraiser, 25-year-old Briana Suggs, whose home in Crown Heights, Brooklyn was searched by the FBI late last week. as part of an investigation into possible corruption.

“I have been in communication with her since this incident occurred,” Adams said, noting that his legal team was also in contact with her.

The FBI has seized phones, laptops and documents as part of their investigation into Adams’ 2021 campaign.

In a strange twist, it emerged on Friday that a welfare check had been requested for Suggs’ home on Wednesday evening – just hours before the FBI raid.

Currently, no charges have been filed against KSK, Adams, Arkan, Suggs or anyone else involved in the case.

KSK Construction is under investigation for alleged involvement in a kickback scheme with the Turkish government to funnel money into Adams’ successful 2021 mayoral campaign

Turkish-born Erden Arkan, 74, co-owner of KSK Construction Group, pictured enjoying a lavish holiday with his teacher wife Itir

A June 2022 post showing Erden sitting regally atop a marble throne at the Aphrodisia archaeological site in Turkey, with his wife captioned: “#Theking #andhisserf”

The investigation appears to focus on potential straw donors who made donations in their names to conceal the true source. Campaign finance records show that 11 KSK employees made nearly identical donations of about $1,250 to Adams’ campaign on the same day in 2021. amounted to almost $14,000.

A straw donor is a donation made illegally with another party’s money under an alias to conceal the origin of the money.

Records show that Arkan was also an avid personal supporter of Adams. He donated $1,500 to the former cop’s 2021 campaign and held a fundraiser in May 2021 that raised nearly $70,000 for his run for mayor.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Mayor Adams has strongly denied any wrongdoing and expressed confidence in Suggs, who managed to raise $18 million for his 2021 campaign.

He emphasized that his campaign would fully cooperate with the investigation.

“Where there’s smoke, there’s not always fire,” Adams said. “She (Suggs) did a great job.”

Agents in FBI vests were among those who removed boxes from the home of fundraising chief Brianna Suggs

Officers are shown outside Suggs’ home in Crown Heights after Thursday’s raid

When news of the raid broke, Mayor Adams was about to begin a series of meetings with other mayors of major cities in Washington DC.

He hurriedly returned to New York and left the meetings.

“I was notified by our team that something was going on with the campaign staffer, and I wanted to be here to make sure we were in full compliance. I have one of the best compliance teams that any campaign has ever put together,” Adams said.

Suggs is the latest Adams employee — and one of many people involved in his fundraising efforts — to face legal trouble in recent months.

In July, six people were charged in a conspiracy scheme by straw donors to funnel tens of thousands of dollars to Adams’ campaign.

The former city buildings commissioner under Adams, Eric Ulrich, was also indicted in September for using his position to dole out favors, including access to the mayor, in exchange for cash and other bribes. Ulrich and his six co-defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Adams has distanced himself from both cases, which were brought in state court and were not directly related to his campaign or administration.