A recent notice by the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) has once again drawn attention to the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and its involvement in a foreign interference effort in the city\u2019s mayoral election. The investigation centers on donations from Turkish nationals, benefits from state-linked enterprises and favors extended to the Turkish government.<\/p>\n
The CFB\u2019s August 7 supplemental determination notice provides a detailed account of how Turkish influence permeated Mayor Eric Adams\u2019 political fundraising. The notice delivers a major blow to his 2025 re-election bid, ruling him ineligible for millions in taxpayer matching funds and citing \u201creason to believe\u201d that he engaged in widespread violations of election law involving alleged financial ties to Turkey.<\/p>\n
\nSay\u0131ner, a little-known figure who presents himself variously as a journalist, counselor, influencer and brand promoter, appears to be an ideal go-between, gaining access to VIP circles by wearing multiple hats.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The notice, which is partly based on a 2014 federal complaint against Adams, details the secret efforts of Turkish government officials, exposing operatives used by the Erdogan government to meddle in New York\u2019s elections and to support a candidate who would advance Turkey\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n
One of the key players for the Erdogan government, unmasked in a federal indictment and the CFB\u2019s notice, is a Turkish businessman named Arda Say\u0131ner, who acted as a conduit for foreign funds. Say\u0131ner, a little-known figure who presents himself variously as a journalist, counselor, influencer and brand promoter, appears to be an ideal go-between, gaining access to VIP circles by wearing multiple hats. He operates a PR and media firm, Arsay Medya Reklam ve Dan\u0131\u015fmanl\u0131k Hizmetleri Limited \u015eirketi, based in Istanbul.<\/p>\n
A Nordic Monitor investigation revealed that Say\u0131ner has written for Daily Sabah, owned by Turkish President Erdogan\u2019s family, and continues to contribute to the pro-government H\u00fcrriyet daily. His work is largely non-political, centering on restaurants, hotels, tourism and the arts. Yet behind this facade, he appears to leverage both his Turkish and international connections to promote Erdogan\u2019s government, seemingly without directly violating laws.<\/p>\n
According to text messages obtained by the board, Say\u0131ner organized a September 20, 2023, fundraiser in New York for Mayor Adams\u2019 2025 campaign. The event was attended by his \u201cclose circle\u201d from Turkey, individuals Adams \u201cknows from Turkey\u201d who also \u201chave business here,\u201d according to campaign aide and mayoral staffer Rana Abbasova.<\/p>\n
Although the CFB directed Adams to produce all communications with Say\u0131ner as part of its investigation into illegal campaign contributions, Adams has so far failed to fully comply with the request. That raises more suspicion on the extent of his Turkish links.<\/p>\n
Evidence suggests that these contributions, facilitated by Say\u0131ner, were disguised through US-based straw donors, including Turkish nationals Erdem Sahin, Deniz Turkbas and Kursad Ece.<\/p>\n
Say\u0131ner\u2019s activities allegedly date back to 2021, when prosecutors claim Adams\u2019 staff coordinated donations routed through a Washington, D.C., university with a Turkish partner institution. Employees of that university made maximum contributions, which investigators suggest was a cover for funds originating from a Turkish conglomerate.<\/p>\n
The conglomerate is owned by Turkish businessman Enver Y\u00fccel, founder of Bah\u00e7e\u015fehir University in Turkey and Bay Atlantic University in Washington, D.C. According to a federal indictment, his interactions with Adams included attempts to funnel illegal campaign contributions into Adams\u2019 2021 mayoral campaign.<\/p>\n
In November 2018 a meeting took place at Brooklyn Borough Hall between Adams, Y\u00fccel and Abbasova, Adams\u2019 liaison to Turkey, during which Y\u00fccel offered to contribute to Adams\u2019 campaign. Despite knowing Y\u00fccel was a foreign national and prohibited from donating, Adams instructed Abbasova to facilitate the contribution.<\/p>\n
\nIn August 2021 the Adams campaign and Bay Atlantic University coordinated efforts to channel donations from Y\u00fccel\u2019s university into the campaign, circumventing legal restrictions.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In August 2021 the Adams campaign and Bay Atlantic University coordinated efforts to channel donations from Y\u00fccel\u2019s university into the campaign, circumventing legal restrictions.<\/p>\n
The CFB also cited longstanding benefits Adams allegedly received from Turkish Airlines (THY), which is majority-owned by the Turkish state. Between 2015 and 2022 Adams \u2014 then Brooklyn Borough president, mayoral candidate and later mayor \u2014 is accused of accepting free or steeply discounted luxury travel valued at over $100,000.<\/p>\n
Cenk \u00d6cal, THY\u2019s New York manager, reportedly arranged deeply discounted travel for Adams and his staff, sometimes requiring a nominal payment to make the trips appear legitimate.<\/p>\n
In return investigators allege that Adams intervened with New York\u2019s fire department to approve the controversial \u201cTurkish House\u201d skyscraper in Manhattan \u2014 a flagship project of the Turkish Consulate General \u2014 despite fire safety objections. FBI affidavits describe how Adams allegedly pressured FDNY officials, even threatening to remove senior chiefs if the building was not approved for occupancy.<\/p>\n
Erden Arkan, a naturalized Turkish citizen and co-owner of the KSK Construction Group, admitted in federal court to organizing straw donations in 2021 at the behest of Turkish Consul General Reyhan \u00d6zg\u00fcr. His employees were reimbursed after donating to Adams, a scheme that triggered matching funds from the city.<\/p>\n
The FBI exposed the scheme after gathering extensive evidence, including recordings, emails, photos and other documentation linking Arkan with the Turkish official and detailing the orchestrated donations. On January 10 he pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud following a plea deal.<\/p>\n
During his plea hearing, Arkan openly acknowledged that the contributions were illegal. \u201cWhen I wrote the checks, I knew that the Eric Adams campaign would use the checks to apply for public matching funds,\u201d he stated. On August 15 a federal judge sentenced Arkan to one year of probation, a $9,500 fine and $18,000 in restitution.<\/p>\n
Another actor in this illegal scheme employed by Turkey is Demet Sabanc\u0131 \u00c7etindo\u011fan, a Turkish businesswoman who owns the luxury St. Regis \u0130stanbul, where the mayor stayed free of charge. According to the indictment \u00c7etindo\u011fan also arranged illegal donations for the mayor.<\/p>\n
The Turkish angle has become the most explosive element of the scandal. Adams has long cultivated ties with the Turkish-American community, frequently appearing at consulate events and boasting of his \u201cspecial relationship\u201d with Turkey. His close association with Turkish business figures and officials now appears central to the Campaign Finance Board\u2019s rejection of public funding.<\/p>\n
\nThe watchdog concluded that Adams\u2019 campaigns in 2021 and 2025 accepted illegal foreign contributions, corporate donations and gifts that were deliberately concealed from disclosure records.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The watchdog concluded that Adams\u2019 campaigns in 2021 and 2025 accepted illegal foreign contributions, corporate donations and gifts that were deliberately concealed from disclosure records. It also accused him of obstructing justice, noting that he and his associates delayed or misrepresented information to investigators.<\/p>\n
The board stated that Adams\u2019 conduct \u201cconstitutes quid pro quo corruption or the appearance thereof,\u201d noting that his reliance on foreign-linked money and perks from the Turkish state undermined the integrity of New York\u2019s public financing program.<\/p>\n
While Adams has not been convicted of any crime, and federal charges against him were dismissed in April 2025 following intervention by the President Donald Trump-led Justice Department, the CFB\u2019s findings leave him under a cloud of suspicion.<\/p>\n
If upheld, the denial of public funds could undermine his 2025 campaign and intensify scrutiny over how Turkey\u2019s government and business networks may have sought to influence New York\u2019s mayor through campaign donations and personal benefits.<\/p>\n
Published originally on August 21, 2025, under the title \u201cNew York Watchdog Puts a New Spotlight on Turkey\u2019s Meddling in U.S. Elections.\u201d<\/p>\n