New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption indictment revealed the missing piece as to why he cut ties with Brooklyn’s Turkish Cultural Center several years ago. Adams regularly attended events hosted by the center as far back as 2012.
Adams co-hosted a meat drive in 2015 when he was Brooklyn Borough president. He also went to the center’s annual “friendship dinner” in 2016. However, he didn’t go to that same event in 2017.
The indictment states a Turkish official allegedly told Adams he should separate himself from the center if he wanted to keep getting support from the Turkish government. The center is part of an opposition movement working against Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Adams is accused of taking travel benefits arranged by a Turkish official and granting political favors in exchange.
An anonymous member of the Turkish Cultural Center told The City he attempted to warn Adams that people associated with the Turkish regime were trying to influence him. The person also said it was disappointing when Adams stopped meeting with them.
According to the report by The City, Adams neglected Armenians because of his close relationship with the Turkish government.
In Adams’ indictment, it states a Turkish official told one of Adams’ staffers not to acknowledge the Armenian genocide for Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
Adams’ team has not responded to the claims.
