Factbox: New York Mayor Adams’ Longstanding Ties with Turkey by Reuters

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – On Thursday, U.S. prosecutors charged New York City Mayor Eric Adams with accepting unlawful campaign donations and luxury travel from Turkish nationals who allegedly sought to exert influence over him, with claims that this arrangement dates back to 2014.

Adams has established long-term connections with Turkey, a NATO member and regional power, including multiple visits, associations with Turkish companies and organizations, as well as frequent appearances at Turkish events in New York.

In 2015, during his tenure as Brooklyn borough president, Adams signed a "sisterhood" agreement with the Uskudar district of Istanbul, which fostered collaboration to boost commercial exchanges between the two cities. A 2017 interview indicated that he was on his fifth visit to Turkey, expressing interest in purchasing a property there.

Since 2017, Adams has participated in various Turkish Airlines events, notably a 2019 celebration in Brooklyn commemorating 25 years of direct flights between New York and Istanbul. Cenk Ocal, the airline’s former general manager in New York, played a significant role at these gatherings, where Adams publicly endorsed the airline, describing it as "his way of flying." Following his election as mayor in 2022, Adams included Ocal on his transition team, further reinforcing his connections to Turkish figures.

The mayor has also been active within the Turkish-American community, frequently attending events organized by this group. In 2021, he met with the Turkish-American National Steering Committee, where he expressed his strong ties to Turkey, stating, "I am a friend of the Turkish people here and abroad." His participation has included the 2022 Turkish Day Parade and Turkish Republic Day celebrations.

Engaging with the Turkish and Muslim communities, Adams hosted events like a vegan iftar meal in 2022 attended by Turkish representatives, including Ocal. In 2024, he organized another iftar, catered by local Turkish restaurant owner Ali Riza Dogan.

Upon taking office, Adams was interviewed by an international press agency that marked his first media engagement as mayor.