Mayor Eric Adams denied any knowledge of the construction company, which is currently under federal investigation in connection with his campaign finances.
During a television interview, Mayor Adams was asked directly if he had any connection or previous involvement with Williamsburg-based KSK Construction Group.
“Not to my knowledge,” he replied, identifying it as one of numerous organizations that had donated to its finances.
“I don’t know this organization at all…It’s one of the many different groups and organizations contributing to the campaign,” Adams added.
KSK Construction is under investigation for its alleged involvement in a kickback scheme with the Turkish government to funnel money into Adams’ successful 2021 mayoral campaign, which led to the FBI raiding the home of Adams’ top fundraiser on Thursday.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has denied knowing he was working with anyone from Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based KSK Construction Group. The company’s owner, Erden Arkan, 74 (far left), has faced a number of lawsuits over the years
Agents searched the home of Brianna Suggs (left), a campaign adviser and one of his top fundraisers. In a television interview, Eric Adams said he believes there was no wrongdoing in his 2021 campaign, stating, “Sometimes there is smoke without fire.”
The construction company’s co-owner, Erden Arkan, was not accused of wrongdoing.
Adams further revealed that he had been in contact with his top fundraiser, 25-year-old Briana Suggs, whose home in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, was raided by the FBI late last week as part of an investigation into possible corruption.
“I have been communicating with her since this incident,” Adams said, noting that his legal team has also been in contact with her.
The FBI seized phones, laptops and documents as part of its investigation into Adams’ 2021 campaign.
In a strange twist, it emerged Friday that a welfare check had been filed for Suggs’ home on Wednesday evening – just hours before the FBI’s dawn raid.
At this time, no charges have been filed against KSK, Adams, Suggs or anyone else involved in the case.
KSK Construction is under investigation for its alleged involvement in a kickback scheme with the Turkish government to funnel money into Adams’ successful 2021 mayoral campaign
Turkish-born Arkan, 74, co-owner of KSK Construction Group, pictured enjoying a lavish holiday with his wife Itir, a teacher
A June 2022 post showing Erden sitting majestically on a marble throne at the Aphrodisia archaeological site in Turkey, which his wife captioned, “#Theking #andhisserf.”
The investigation appears to be focused on potential straw donors who donated in their names to conceal the true source. Campaign finance records show that 11 KSK employees made nearly identical donations of about $1,250 to Adam’s campaign on the same day in 2021. Donations totaled nearly $14,000.
A straw donor is an illegal donation using another party’s money under a pseudonym to conceal the origin of the funds.
Records show Arkan was also an ardent personal supporter of Adams, donating $1,500 to the former police officer’s 2021 campaign and hosting a fundraiser in May 2021 that raised nearly $70,000 for his run for mayor.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Mayor Adams has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and expressed confidence in Suggs, who managed to raise $18 million for his 2021 campaign.
He stressed that his campaign would cooperate fully with the investigation.
“Where there is smoke, there is not always fire,” Adams said. ‘She [Suggs] did a great job.’
Agents in FBI vests were among those removing boxes from the home of fundraising chief Brianna Suggs
After Thursday’s raid, agents are shown outside Suggs’ home in Crown Heights
When news of the raid broke, Mayor Adams was about to begin a series of meetings with other major city mayors in Washington, DC
He hurriedly returned to New York and broke off the meetings.
“Our team notified me that something was happening with campaign staff, and I wanted to be here to make sure we were in full compliance.” “I have one of the best compliance teams to ever put together a campaign,” said Adams.
Suggs is the latest Adams associate — and one of several people involved in his fundraising efforts — to face legal trouble in recent months.
In July, six people were charged with a straw donation conspiracy to funnel tens of thousands of dollars to Adam’s campaign.
Former city public works commissioner under Adams, Eric Ulrich, was also indicted in September for using his position to distribute favors, including access to the mayor, in exchange for cash and other bribes. Ulrich and his six co-defendants pleaded not guilty.
Adams has distanced himself from both cases, which were heard in state court and had no direct connection to his campaign or administration.