In the midst of New York City's 2021 mayoral election, federal investigators have launched a probe into potential foreign influence in the race. Specifically, they are examining whether the Turkish government utilized U.S. citizens as straw donors to conceal foreign campaign contributors. It is important to note that neither Eric Adams, the mayoral candidate, nor any member of his campaign has been accused of any wrongdoing at this time.

The investigation centers around three donors affiliated with the Turken Foundation, who did not list the organization as their employer when making contributions. One of the donors, Memis Yetim, the foundation's treasurer, stated that a "close friend" may have facilitated his donation, which incorrectly listed him as residing in the non-existent city of "Staten Island, NJ." It was revealed that the given New Jersey address matched where Yetim is registered to vote.

Although Adams' campaign had submitted the donation for public matching funds, as required by the Campaign Finance Board, the eligibility criteria for the City's matching fund program mandates that only New York City residents can qualify.

Adams acknowledged his previous association with the Turken Foundation, dating back to at least 2017. In 2018, as the Brooklyn Borough President, Adams presented the foundation and Yetim with a "certificate of appreciation." Additionally, records show that Rana Abbasova, who is now Adams' Director of Protocol in the Mayor's Office for International Affairs, had requested a meeting on behalf of the Turken Foundation in April 2017.

The Turken Foundation has hosted fundraising dinners in New York City featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021, according to filings with the Department of Justice. Furthermore, the Turkish American Steering Committee, which shares some members with the Turken Foundation, organized an event in Manhattan in 2019 where Erdogan was in attendance along with Yetim and Behram Turan, the chair of the Turken Foundation.

The investigation also extends to KSK, a Turkish-American construction company, and Bay Atlantic University, a Turkish-owned institution in Washington, D.C. The FBI is examining alleged straw donations and illegal foreign influence in the mayoral race involving these entities. Adams' campaign received and returned $10,000 in donations from individuals connected to Bay Atlantic University.

Concerns were raised when it was discovered that the Adams campaign did not provide information to the Campaign Finance Board regarding the bundling of donations from KSK and Bay Atlantic University employees, as requested during the race.

Adams, who has strongly denied any wrongdoing, emphasized that his interactions with Turkey were part of his efforts to attract business to both Brooklyn, where he served as borough president, and New York City as a whole. He maintained that these interactions were part of a larger global campaign and denied any special focus on Turkey specifically.

As the investigation continues, Adams expressed confidence that his campaign will not face formal allegations of misconduct. Federal law explicitly prohibits foreign nationals and governments from contributing to political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.