A prominent Brooklyn construction executive expressed regret to New York taxpayers on Friday as he received a light sentence for illegally funding Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 election campaign.
Elden Alkan, 76, who heads KSK Construction Group based in Williamsburg, was at risk of serving six months in prison under federal guidelines. However, both prosecutors and probation officials deemed incarceration unnecessary.
“I’m sorry to taxpayers in New York,” Alkan stated before being sentenced to one year of probation in Manhattan federal court.
The Turkish-born businessman admitted in January to charges of wire fraud, specifically related to reimbursing employees for contributions totaling around $18,000 for Adams’ successful campaign.
Prosecutors claimed that the funds were then misappropriated through a city program designed to match donations, effectively siphoning public money.
In April 2021, the federal government alleged that Adams sought campaign donations from a wealthy benefactor and Turkish diplomats during a dinner gathering.
Subsequently, Alkan attempted to rally support from the Turkish community to contribute to Adams in a fundraiser shortly after that meeting, according to court documents.
He reportedly remarked to a colleague, “Unfortunately, this is how things work in this country.”
In September 2024, Adams faced charges for allegedly misappropriating $123,000 through bribes and exploiting taxpayers with fraudulent campaign funds from Turkish contributors, purportedly in exchange for expedited actions regarding the Turkish consulate’s opening.
Despite the unfolding drama, Alkan’s legal representatives argued that their client’s construction business has garnered over $1 billion since its inception in 2003.
Interestingly, the Justice Department, under President Trump, made headlines in February by advocating for a significant corruption case against another figure linked to this matter, without discussing the prosecution’s evidence strength.
Judge Dale Ho, who is overseeing both Alkan’s and Adams’ cases, hinted that charges against Alkan may have been dropped in exchange for the mayor’s assistance in furthering the White House’s immigration policy.
Adams has refuted the claims against him and denied any “quid pro quo” arrangements related to the lawsuits.
Alkan’s attorney, Jonathan Rosen, labeled the government’s actions as “unfair,” especially considering the judge’s decision to drop charges against Adams.
“I’m commenting on consistency,” Rosen stated, though Judge Ho appeared frustrated, questioning how the situation might influence his prior rulings.
Despite the circumstances, Ho acknowledged that Alkan, who claimed to have led a model life before the incident, had a respectable history.
Alkan promised the court, “I will do good things; this will never happen again.”
Along with a year of probation, he was ordered to pay an $18,000 fine and $9,500 in restitution.
Attempts to get a response from Adams’ campaign representatives regarding the situation were unsuccessful.
