The FBI is investigating whether New York Mayor Eric Adams received free flight upgrades on Turkish Airlines.
Federal authorities are investigating whether he was elevated to the most expensive seats available on international flights as part of a broader corruption investigation. New York times reported.
Adams has praised Turkey’s national carrier in the past, and now his campaign is under scrutiny for his ties to the government in Ankara.
Prosecutors would investigate whether the Turkish government conspired with Adams’ staff to inject money into the campaign.
New York Mayor Eric Adams is the subject of an FBI investigation into free upgrades he received on Turkish Airlines flights, it was reported Friday
The photo shows a business class cabin of a Turkish Airlines plane. Adams is facing a corruption investigation over upgrades he received at the airline
There are also allegations that Adams pressured the New York City Fire Department to sign off on the Turkish high-rise consulate in Manhattan, even though there were safety concerns.
The investigation has already led to an FBI raid on the home of Adams’ chief fund manager Brianna Suggs and former aviation executive Cenk Ocal.
But this is believed to be the first time Adams’ behavior has come under scrutiny.
Brendan R. McGuire, who represented the mayor and his 2021 campaign, insisted there was nothing wrong with Adams getting the upgrades and that they were always made public.
Adams’ assistant Brianna Suggs, pictured, has already had her home raided by Bureau agents
Former Turkish Airlines CEO Cenk Ocal is also under FBI investigation
“As city president, the mayor consistently disclosed his official trip to Turkey, received no inappropriate upgrades, and did nothing inappropriate in exchange for an upgrade,” McGuire said in a statement to DailyMail.com.
‘Speculation is not proof. We look forward to a fair and timely conclusion to this investigation.”
In November, Adams had electronic devices, including his phone and iPad, seized as part of the investigation. A few days later they were returned.
It subsequently became front-page news and plunged his government into controversy.
He has not been charged with a crime and has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Turkish Airlines is half owned by the government’s sovereign wealth fund.
In November, Adams admitted helping the Turkish consulate get approval to open, saying politicians “do this every day.”
“If the constituency contacts us for assistance with another agency … please contact an agency and ask them to investigate the matter,” Adams said.
He went on to say that the only person he spoke to in the FDNY in 2021 was former Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro.
The comments came as lead attorney Lisa Zornberg said, “There is no indication that I have seen that the mayor is a target” of the public corruption investigation focused on his 2021 campaign and the Turkish government.