Latest news with #campaigncontributions
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Brooklyn construction magnate gets probation for funneling illegal donations to NYC Mayor Eric Adams
NEW YORK (AP) — A Brooklyn construction magnate was sentenced Friday to a year of probation for working with a Turkish government official to funnel illegal campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resolving one of two related federal cases after the mayor's criminal charges were dropped. Erden Arkan, 76, told Manhattan federal Judge Dale Ho that he regretted his 'poor judgments' in engaging in the straw donor scheme, which helped Adams fraudulently obtain public money for his 2021 mayoral bid under the city's matching funds program. Ho cited Arkan's age and otherwise clean record in imposing the sentence, telling the Turkish-born businessman that his immigrant success story 'exemplifies the American dream.' 'I hope that you don't let this one mistake define you,' Ho told Arkan. Arkan faced up to six months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, but prosecutors and the federal probation officer agreed that no prison time was warranted. In addition to probation, he must also pay a $9,500 fine and $18,000 in restitution. Arkan pleaded guilty in January to a conspiracy charge in Manhattan federal court. Weeks later, President Donald Trump's Justice Department pressured prosecutors to drop their underlying case against Adams, ultimately getting it dismissed. In court Friday, Arkan's lawyer Jonathan Rosen blasted the government for continuing to pursue his case after getting Adams' charges dismissed. 'To put it mildly, this is a very unusual case. In fact, it is unprecedented,' Rosen argued. In February, Justice Department leadership ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to drop Adams' case, arguing that it was hindering the Democratic mayor's ability to assist the Republican administration's immigration crackdown. Ho, who also oversaw the mayor's case, dismissed his charges in April. In a written opinion, he agreed it was the only practical outcome but also criticized what he said was the government's 'troubling' rationale for wanting the charges thrown out. While Adams was spared, prosecutors continued to pursue related cases against Arkan and a former aide to the mayor, Mohamed Bahi. Bahi, who served as City Hall's chief liaison to the Muslim community, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to soliciting straw donations for Adams' mayoral campaign from employees of a different Brooklyn construction company at a December 2020 fundraiser. Arkan acknowledged in his January plea that he knowingly violated the law by reimbursing employees of his construction firm for their donations to Adams' campaign. In brief remarks Friday, he apologized to city taxpayers who bankroll the matching funds program, telling Ho: 'I love this city. I dedicated my life to making it better. It pains me that I have harmed it.' According to prosecutors, Adams personally solicited donations from Arkan and a Turkish consular official at an April 2021 dinner. The following month, Arkan held a fundraiser at the headquarters of his construction company, KSK, in which 10 employees donated between $1,200 and $1,500 to the campaign. They were later reimbursed by Arkan, making them illegal straw donations. Adams then used those funds to fraudulently obtain public money under the city's matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small-dollar donations, prosecutors allege. A well-known member of New York's Turkish community, Arkan's ties to Adams first emerged in November 2023 after federal investigators searched the businessman's home, along with the home of Adams' chief fundraiser and his liaison to the Turkish community. Adams pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges after a 2024 indictment accused him of accepting illegal campaign contributions and travel discounts from a Turkish official and others — and returning the favors by, among other things, helping Turkey open a diplomatic building without passing fire inspections. At a Feb. 19 hearing that precipitated the dismissal of his case, Adams told Ho: 'I have not committed a crime.' The first-term mayor, a former police captain, skipped the June Democratic primary and is currently running for reelection as an independent. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Brooklyn construction magnate gets probation for funneling illegal donations to NYC Mayor Eric Adams
A Brooklyn construction magnate was sentenced Friday to a year of probation for working with a Turkish government official to funnel illegal campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resolving one of two related federal cases after the mayor's criminal charges were dropped. Erden Arkan, 76, told Manhattan federal Judge Dale Ho that he regretted his 'poor judgments' in engaging in the straw donor scheme, which helped Adams fraudulently obtain public money for his 2021 mayoral bid under the city's matching funds program. Ho cited Arkan's age and otherwise clean record in imposing the sentence, telling the Turkish-born businessman that his immigrant success story 'exemplifies the American dream.' 'I hope that you don't let this one mistake define you,' Ho told Arkan. Arkan faced up to six months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, but prosecutors and the federal probation officer agreed that no prison time was warranted. In addition to probation, he must also pay a $9,500 fine and $18,000 in restitution. Arkan pleaded guilty in January to a conspiracy charge in Manhattan federal court. Weeks later, President Donald Trump's Justice Department pressured prosecutors to drop their underlying case against Adams, ultimately getting it dismissed. In court Friday, Arkan's lawyer Jonathan Rosen blasted the government for continuing to pursue his case after getting Adams' charges dismissed. 'To put it mildly, this is a very unusual case. In fact, it is unprecedented,' Rosen argued. In February, Justice Department leadership ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to drop Adams' case, arguing that it was hindering the Democratic mayor's ability to assist the Republican administration's immigration crackdown. Ho, who also oversaw the mayor's case, dismissed his charges in April. In a written opinion, he agreed it was the only practical outcome but also criticized what he said was the government's 'troubling' rationale for wanting the charges thrown out. While Adams was spared, prosecutors continued to pursue related cases against Arkan and a former aide to the mayor, Mohamed Bahi. Bahi, who served as City Hall's chief liaison to the Muslim community, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to soliciting straw donations for Adams' mayoral campaign from employees of a different Brooklyn construction company at a December 2020 fundraiser. Arkan acknowledged in his January plea that he knowingly violated the law by reimbursing employees of his construction firm for their donations to Adams' campaign. In brief remarks Friday, he apologized to city taxpayers who bankroll the matching funds program, telling Ho: 'I love this city. I dedicated my life to making it better. It pains me that I have harmed it.' According to prosecutors, Adams personally solicited donations from Arkan and a Turkish consular official at an April 2021 dinner. The following month, Arkan held a fundraiser at the headquarters of his construction company, KSK, in which 10 employees donated between $1,200 and $1,500 to the campaign. They were later reimbursed by Arkan, making them illegal straw donations. Adams then used those funds to fraudulently obtain public money under the city's matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small-dollar donations, prosecutors allege. A well-known member of New York's Turkish community, Arkan's ties to Adams first emerged in November 2023 after federal investigators searched the businessman's home, along with the home of Adams' chief fundraiser and his liaison to the Turkish community. Adams pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges after a 2024 indictment accused him of accepting illegal campaign contributions and travel discounts from a Turkish official and others — and returning the favors by, among other things, helping Turkey open a diplomatic building without passing fire inspections. At a Feb. 19 hearing that precipitated the dismissal of his case, Adams told Ho: 'I have not committed a crime.' The first-term mayor, a former police captain, skipped the June Democratic primary and is currently running for reelection as an independent.
Washington Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Brooklyn construction magnate gets probation for funneling illegal donations to NYC Mayor Eric Adams
NEW YORK — A Brooklyn construction magnate was sentenced Friday to a year of probation for working with a Turkish government official to funnel illegal campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resolving one of two related federal cases after the mayor's criminal charges were dropped . Erden Arkan, 76, told Manhattan federal Judge Dale Ho that he regretted his 'poor judgments' in engaging in the straw donor scheme, which helped Adams fraudulently obtain public money for his 2021 mayoral bid under the city's matching funds program.
Associated Press
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Brooklyn construction magnate gets probation for funneling illegal donations to NYC Mayor Eric Adams
NEW YORK (AP) — A Brooklyn construction magnate was sentenced Friday to a year of probation for working with a Turkish government official to funnel illegal campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resolving one of two related federal cases after the mayor's criminal charges were dropped. Erden Arkan, 76, told Manhattan federal Judge Dale Ho that he regretted his 'poor judgments' in engaging in the straw donor scheme, which helped Adams fraudulently obtain public money for his 2021 mayoral bid under the city's matching funds program. Ho cited Arkan's age and otherwise clean record in imposing the sentence, telling the Turkish-born businessman that his immigrant success story 'exemplifies the American dream.' 'I hope that you don't let this one mistake define you,' Ho told Arkan. Arkan faced up to six months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, but prosecutors and the federal probation officer agreed that no prison time was warranted. In addition to probation, he must also pay a $9,500 fine and $18,000 in restitution. Arkan pleaded guilty in January to a conspiracy charge in Manhattan federal court. Weeks later, President Donald Trump's Justice Department pressured prosecutors to drop their underlying case against Adams, ultimately getting it dismissed. In court Friday, Arkan's lawyer Jonathan Rosen blasted the government for continuing to pursue his case after getting Adams' charges dismissed. 'To put it mildly, this is a very unusual case. In fact, it is unprecedented,' Rosen argued. In February, Justice Department leadership ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to drop Adams' case, arguing that it was hindering the Democratic mayor's ability to assist the Republican administration's immigration crackdown. Ho, who also oversaw the mayor's case, dismissed his charges in April. In a written opinion, he agreed it was the only practical outcome but also criticized what he said was the government's 'troubling' rationale for wanting the charges thrown out. While Adams was spared, prosecutors continued to pursue related cases against Arkan and a former aide to the mayor, Mohamed Bahi. Bahi, who served as City Hall's chief liaison to the Muslim community, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to soliciting straw donations for Adams' mayoral campaign from employees of a different Brooklyn construction company at a December 2020 fundraiser. Arkan acknowledged in his January plea that he knowingly violated the law by reimbursing employees of his construction firm for their donations to Adams' campaign. In brief remarks Friday, he apologized to city taxpayers who bankroll the matching funds program, telling Ho: 'I love this city. I dedicated my life to making it better. It pains me that I have harmed it.' According to prosecutors, Adams personally solicited donations from Arkan and a Turkish consular official at an April 2021 dinner. The following month, Arkan held a fundraiser at the headquarters of his construction company, KSK, in which 10 employees donated between $1,200 and $1,500 to the campaign. They were later reimbursed by Arkan, making them illegal straw donations. Adams then used those funds to fraudulently obtain public money under the city's matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small-dollar donations, prosecutors allege. A well-known member of New York's Turkish community, Arkan's ties to Adams first emerged in November 2023 after federal investigators searched the businessman's home, along with the home of Adams' chief fundraiser and his liaison to the Turkish community. Adams pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges after a 2024 indictment accused him of accepting illegal campaign contributions and travel discounts from a Turkish official and others — and returning the favors by, among other things, helping Turkey open a diplomatic building without passing fire inspections. At a Feb. 19 hearing that precipitated the dismissal of his case, Adams told Ho: 'I have not committed a crime.' The first-term mayor, a former police captain, skipped the June Democratic primary and is currently running for reelection as an independent.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Unsealed court docs detail claims in Montgomery County Clerk of Courts case
Jul. 10—Newly unsealed records in the ongoing criminal case against Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley allege discussions about issuing bonuses to employees based on their campaign contributions to Foley, as well as Foley's former campaign manager using county equipment for campaign work. State-appointed Judge Jonathan Hein this month issued an order saying some documents filed by state investigators and Foley's attorneys were improperly sealed in the court records maintained by Foley's office. The order unsealing those records came after Hein accepted Foley's plea withdrawal and reversal of his felony conviction last week. Court records show that Jon Paul Rion, representing Foley, in May subpoenaed former Montgomery County Clerk of Courts employee Tyler Starline for access to texts on his cellphone. Starline — a former Huber Heights city councilman — was interviewed by state investigators days after he was fired from the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts in 2022. Rion wants access to all conversations between Starline and Foley, as well as Starline's conversations with Montgomery County Treasurer John McManus and Second Appellate District Judge Mary Katherine Huffman. Rion also requested "any text messages about Michael Foley or the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts in (Starline's) capacity as the attorney for the Clerk of Courts," according to unsealed court records. Starline's attorney in June challenged this, arguing the subpoena was "unreasonable and oppressive" and would create "significant risk of undue disclosure of privileged attorney-client communications without a protective order." Starline did not immediately return a request for comment regarding his involvement in the case. County equipment, campaign finance Foley's attorneys last year asked the court to suppress information gathered during the state's raid of the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts office in 2022, arguing that misleading information led to search warrants being executed at the courthouse. The state's Nov. 11, 2024 response to that request became available for public view for the first time last week. Starline worked in management at the clerk's office and formerly worked as a defense attorney, according to court records. He told state investigators that while working at the clerk's office, he "observed (Foley's) administrative assistant, who is also his campaign treasurer ... doing campaign finance documents on the County computers where she was filling out his campaign finance report, asking him questions, he was answering from his corner office," according to court records. "Her cubicle's right outside. They're doing all of this on county equipment," Starline told state investigators, according to court records. Some of the 12 counts Foley faces are linked to the time theft of former employee Elle Sollenberger for the time she allegedly spent working on his campaign, soliciting political contributions and working on his private business, Dayton Daily News has previously reported. Sollenberger volunteered for Foley's campaign in 2018 and accepted an executive assistant job at his office when he won the election. She worked as his campaign treasurer through 2022, according to Montgomery County campaign finance forms. Starline told state investigators that he believes he was fired from the clerk's office for "what he knew was going on in the clerk's office," according to court documents. Bonuses for donations discussed? The newly unsealed records allege Foley in 2022 discussed with some managers giving employees higher bonuses if they contributed to his campaign. But the deputy chief clerk advised against this and it didn't happen, state investigators say. "It's important to remember that the State found no further evidence of the bonus-for-donation scheme contemplated by Mr. Foley," said Ohio Auditor of State investigator Thomas Anger in court documents. "There were several discussions in 2022 between Foley and some management employees where he indicated if the employee donates to his campaign, then they would get a higher bonus," court documents filed by Anger state. A filing by Foley's attorney includes an excerpt from an affidavit in support of the search warrant in the case. In it, state investigators allege Foley's chief deputy and the office manager for the municipal courts "went directly to employees on Foley's behalf soliciting donations to the Foley campaign," and employees "felt pressured" by this. The Montgomery County Clerk of Courts office declined to comment on the allegations against Foley, citing ongoing litigation. But a spokesperson for that office told this news outlet that bonuses depend on the availability of funds and are awarded on an annual basis. They are based on the recommendations of division managers in the office and are approved by the chief administrator there.
