The FBI is investigating whether New York City Mayor Eric Adams received free flight upgrades on Turkish Airlines.
Federal authorities are looking into whether he was elevated to the most expensive seats available on international flights as part of a wider corruption probe, The New York Times reported.
Adams has praised the Turkish national carrier in the past, and now his campaign is being scrutinized for his links to the government in Ankara.
Prosecutors are said to be looking into whether the Turkish government conspired with Adams’ staff to bring money into the campaign.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams is the subject of an FBI probe over free upgrades he received on Turkish Airlines flights, it was reported Friday
There are also allegations Adams pressured the New York City fire department to sign off on Turkey’s high-rise consulate in Manhattan, even though there were safety concerns.
The investigation has already led to a FBI raid on the home of Adams’ chief fund-rasier Brianna Suggs and former airline executive Cenk Ocal.
But this is believed to be the first time Adams’ conduct is being scrutinized.
Brendan R. McGuire, who represented the mayor and his campaign in 2021, insisted there was nothing wrong with Adams getting the upgrades and they were always disclosed.
‘As borough president, the mayor consistently disclosed his official travel to Turkey, did not receive any improper upgrades and did nothing inappropriate in exchange for an upgrade,’ McGuire said in a statement to DailyMail.com.
‘Speculation is not evidence. We look forward to a just and timely conclusion to this investigation.’
In November, Adams had electronic devices including his phone and iPad seized as part of the investigation. They were returned a couple of days later.
It then became headline news and plunged his administration 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 he helped the Turkish consulate get approval to open as he said it’s what politicians ‘do every day.’
‘When the constituency reaches out to us for assistance to another agency… you reach out to an agency and ask them to look into the matter,’ Adams said.
He went on to say that the only person he spoke to in the FDNY in 2021 was former fire department commissioner Daniel Nigro.
The comments came as Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg said: ‘There has been no indication that I’ve see that the mayor is a target’ of the public corruption probe aimed at his 2021 campaign and the Turkish government.