The New Yorkers caught up in Mayor Eric Adams' pay scheme include everyone from his domestic partners to City Hall employees, including one pair who will serve as star witnesses against him. Included.
Manhattan federal prosecutors this week charged the mayor with participating in a corrupt bribery conspiracy, alleging he provided favors to foreign entities in exchange for funds illegally funneled to his 2021 election campaign.
Although Mr. Adams was the only person indicted on Tuesday, the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office revealed how people close to Mr. Adams were allegedly caught up in his nearly decade-long corruption scheme.
The newspaper has now been able to identify most of the local hidden figures mentioned in the shocking 57-page court document.
The people named in the indictment include employees of Mr. Adams when he was mayor of Brooklyn and later when he became mayor. They arranged flights, tried to accept straw donations and helped expedite the opening of the shiny Turkish tower, federal prosecutors alleged in the boneheaded charges.
Federal authorities say Adams' loved ones and close friends also sponsored Adams' alleged corruption with lavish trips and stays in luxury hotels.
Mr. Adams was accused of accepting bribes from foreign nationals in exchange for favors and was charged with five federal charges. Paul, 64, is also suspected of collecting an astonishing $10 million in public campaign contributions.
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He has denied any wrongdoing and vowed not to resign.
Lana Abbasova
In June 2018, an anonymous Turkish entrepreneur inquired about padding Adams' campaign coffers with foreign donations, and Lana Abbasova, referred to in the documents as an “Adams staffer,” initially said that Adams I will not get involved in any games.”
“It might cause a bad smell later,” she is quoted as saying. But she added that she would ask Adams “anyway,” according to court documents.
Abbasova, a former aide and liaison to the Turkish community, then allegedly asked Adams about the proposal, and “unexpectedly” Adams “pursued the promoter's illegal plans,” the document alleges. are.
Then, in August 2021, Abbasova and the head of the Turkish University's American campus sent messages related to a scheme by an unnamed Turkish businessman to channel funds to Adams' campaign through the university's US-based employees, according to the indictment. It is said that they were exchanged.
At the time, Abbasova, in a stern warning to the university, said Adams would not attend the in-person event unless donations exceeded $25,000. That oath was kept even when the university donated only $10,000, the indictment says. .
Sources told The Post that Abbasova is cooperating with federal authorities and is serving as a key witness.
tracy collins
Adams' subordinates allegedly helped book luxury flights on Turkish Airlines for free or at deep discounts, primarily for Adams and for Tracy Collins, whom authorities described as his “domestic partner.” has been done. The journey began back in 2015.
In one case, an airline manager told Abbasova in June 2021 that Adams would be charged $50.
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Abbasova quickly dismissed this, saying he needed more money to look “somewhat realistic,” according to the indictment.
“I don't want people to say he's flying for free,” Abbasova allegedly wrote. The media attention is now on Eric. ”
Prosecutors say Adams ultimately paid $1,100 for a round-trip ticket for him and Collins that would have cost more than $15,000 on the open market.
Mr Abbasova is also said to have arranged accommodation for Mr Adams and his partner. In one instance, an anonymous manager recommended the Four Seasons, but staff responded that it was “too expensive.”
“Why does he care? He's not going to pay,” the manager said. “His name won't be on anything.”
| year | destination | advantage | value | Was it disclosed? |
| 2016 | India (via Türkiye) | Complimentary Business Class Upgrade for 2 people on round-trip flights from New York to India | $12,000 | no |
| 2017 | France, Türkiye, China | Complimentary round-trip business class flights for three people from New York to France, Türkiye and China. Greatly discounted stays at the Bentley Suites at The St. Regis Istanbul | Over $41,000 | no |
| 2017 | China (via Türkiye) | Free round-trip business class airfare for 2 people from New York to China | Over $16,000 | no |
| 2018 | Hungary (via Türkiye) | Complimentary upgrade to business class for 2 people on round-trip flights from New York to Hungary | Over $12,000 | no |
| 2019 | turkey | One passenger gets a free upgrade to business class on flights from New York to Türkiye. Free night stay in a Cosmopolitan Suite at The St. Regis Istanbul. Free meals, transportation and entertainment in Istanbul | Over $9,000 | no |
| 2021 | Türkiye (requested and accepted, then canceled) | Complimentary business class upgrades for up to two passengers on round-trip flights from New York to Türkiye. Free or deeply discounted stays, transportation, entertainment, and meals at luxury hotels and resorts | Over $21,000 | no |
| 2021 | Ghana (via Türkiye) | Complimentary upgrade to business class for 2 people on round-trip flights from New York to Ghana. Free meals and transportation during your Istanbul layover | Over $12,000 | no |
Then the staff member said, “Super.” Adams later canceled the trip.
Jordan Coleman and Winnie Greco
Federal authorities say other mayoral staffers also enjoyed lavish trips.
According to the indictment, Winnie Greco, the mayor's Asia director, traveled to France, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and China in July and August 2017 with Jordan Coleman, Adams' son and a “close relative of Adams.” I traveled.
Adams allegedly received more than $35,000 worth of “free business class tickets” from Turkish Airlines for himself and others.
A few months later, Adams and Greco then traveled for free to Nepal via Istanbul and Beijing. The trip would normally have cost $16,000, the indictment says. Greco has been described as a “liaison to the Asian American community.”
Brianna Suggs
In June 2021, Adams allegedly sent a message to Turkish authorities about paying for a trip to Istanbul by his campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs. Suggs is first referred to in the indictment as Adams' “scheduler” during his time at Borough Hall, and later as the “lead fundraiser for the 2021 campaign.”
“Eric, definitely. This was set up through Turkish Hospitality Services. We hope she enjoyed her stay,” the indictment states.
Federal authorities said officials gave Adams and Suggs fake invoices that made it appear that Suggs paid for the hotel stay.
Federal prosecutors allege that in exchange for large donations and prestigious travel, Adams successfully persuaded the FDNY to allow the 36-story Turkey House to open in September 2021.
Just four minutes after the lights went green, Adams alerted Turkish officials, who called him a “brother” and “a true friend of Turkey.”
As the federal investigation intensified, Adams and his supporters were also accused of trying to cover their tracks.
According to the indictment, while planning another trip in 2019, Abbasova asked Adams to “delete all the messages you sent me,” to which Adams replied, “I always do that.” It is said that
As heat against the Adams administration reached a boiling point, many senior government officials, including Greco, Suggs, and Abbasova, had their homes raided.
Abbasova, who was placed on administrative leave by the administration for asking employees to delete messages, allegedly excused herself during a voluntary interview with the FBI by saying she had to go to the bathroom, where she deleted the encrypted messaging app. It is believed that he did. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, he exchanged text messages with Adams and other Turkish officials.
Mr. Adams pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in federal court in Manhattan on Friday. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 45 years in prison.
