Eric Adams' ‘tainted’ corruption case invoked at sentencing for NYC straw donor

MANHATTAN (CN) — A Brooklyn businessman was sentenced to one year of probation on Friday after he admitted to sending illegal straw donations to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ successful 2021 campaign.

Erden Arkan, the Turkish-born co-owner of KSK Construction Group in Williamsburg, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in Manhattan federal court earlier this year. As part of his plea agreement with federal prosecutors, the 76-year-old acknowledged he facilitated 10 separate straw donations to Adams’ campaign.

“I feel profound sadness … . I am sincerely sorry to the New York City taxpayers who support the matching funds program,” Arkan said Friday, referencing the citywide program he swindled that encourages small-dollar donations to political candidates. “This will never happen again.”

Prosecutors and Arkan’s defense team agreed on his yearlong probation punishment in sentencing submissions, and U.S. District Judge Dale Ho obliged while tacking on a $9,500 fine and ordering $18,000 in restitution.

But Arkan’s lawyer Jonathan Rosen appeared to irk the judge when he complained that prosecutors continued to pursue his client despite dropping Adams’ own corruption case earlier this year. He noted that Arkan was labeled as “Businessman-5” in “that same tainted prosecution” of the New York City mayor.

“Mr. Arkan owns his conduct; the government does not own theirs, however," Rosen said, calling Arkan’s prosecution an “unprecedented and unfair exercise of prosecutorial direction.”

In Adams’ indictment, Arkan — “Businessman-5” — was described as a construction tycoon who gave $1,250 to 10 employees. Each of those employees then went on to donate that amount to the Adams campaign, with the exception of one employee who donated in his wife’s name, and another who kept $50 for himself, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say Arkan met with a Turkish government official at a restaurant in 2021, then arranged a fundraiser at his company’s office, where the employees eventually made the scrutinized donations.

Arkan maintains that he facilitated the payments himself, not in coordination with Turkish officials.

Adams’ five-count indictment, which accuses the mayor of a sprawling bribery and corruption scheme, has since been dropped by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice. It was a controversial move that prompted widespread speculation of a quid pro quo between Adams’ mayoral camp and the federal government.

Ho wasn’t moved by Rosen’s invocation of that case on Friday.

“I’m having a hard time understanding your point that there is something inappropriate or unusual in this prosecution,” the Joe Biden appointee said dryly.

Justice Department officials ordered the Adams case dismissed after baselessly claiming it was only brought to damage the mayor’s reelection chances. Adams is now off the hook, but others accused of illegal behavior, including Arkan, are not.

Ho referenced the history of Adams’ case in ordering Arkan’s sentencing, but said, “That does not suggest that Mr. Arkan’s case is being handled inappropriately.”

The judge said Arkan admitted to “a serious offense” that is “not a victimless crime."

Ho also found that Arkan “has otherwise led an exemplary, exemplary life.” The judge cited sentencing submissions from Arkan’s family, which he found portrayed Arkan as a loving father and husband. And, with Arkan immigrating from Turkey, Ho said his life exemplifies the American dream.

“This is clearly out of character in the rest of Mr. Arkan’s otherwise exemplary life,” Ho said, commending Arkan for admitting to the crime.

Arkan pleaded guilty in January, a month before the Justice Department moved to dismiss the case against the mayor.

“When I wrote the checks, I knew the Eric Adams campaign would use the checks to apply for public matching funds,” Arkan said at the plea hearing.

At the time, Ho agreed to suspend Arkan’s sentencing until the end of Adams’ trial, which was supposed to take place in April. This left the door open for Arkan to potentially testify against the mayor.

While that never happened, Arkan is cooperating with the New York City Campaign Finance Board’s ongoing probe into Adams’ 2021 and 2025 mayoral campaigns, according to court filings.

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