The FBI is investigating whether New York Mayor Eric Adams received a free upgrade on Turkish Airlines, a person familiar with the matter confirmed to The New York Times.
Federal authorities are investigating whether he was upgraded to the most expensive seat available on international flights as part of a broader corruption investigation.
Officials confirmed to the publication that part of the investigation includes whether donations to Turkey’s national airline were made in exchange for political favors.
Political favors also included pressure allegedly exerted on the New York Fire Department following delays in permitting the new Turkish consulate to operate.
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new york mayor eric adams (AP Photo/Eduardo Muñoz Alvarez, File)
The investigation is looking into whether Adams’ 2021 campaign colluded with the Turkish government and others to funnel money into the coffers.
FBI agents then contacted Adams directly after the incident in Manhattan. The mayor’s electronic devices were confiscated. The execution of the search warrant involved at least two cell phones and an iPad.
The FBI also searched the homes of Adams’ aide at City Hall, Lana Abbasova, and former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Okal, who was part of the mayor’s 2021 transition team, according to the Daily News.
Adams reportedly received a free upgrade from Turkish Airlines. (Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty Images)
Brendan McGuire, special adviser to Mayor Adams, said in a statement to Fox News Digital: The New York mayor did not receive an “inappropriate upgrade” and did nothing “inappropriate” in return for the purported upgrade.
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“As mayor, the mayor consistently disclosed that he had made official trips to Turkey, that he had not received any inappropriate upgrades, and that he had not done anything inappropriate in exchange for upgrades,” McGuire said.
Mayor Eric Adams pictured in Manhattan on Monday, January 15, 2024 (Luis C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) (Luis C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“Speculation is not evidence,” he added. “We look forward to a fair and timely conclusion to this investigation.”
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FOX News has reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for comment.
