Mayor Eric Adams appeared on screen as himself in a Turkish rom-com – in which he was asked for political favors by two Turkish-speaking men – years before his office became embroiled in an investigation into potential corruption from the country.
Video from strange guest cameo has been shared online as the feds investigate whether money was funneled illegally into Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign from the Turkish government.
The clip, taken from the 2017 romantic comedy “New York Masali” (“Fairytale of New York”), features Adams, playing himself, being asked to be served by two Turkish-speaking characters.
In the brief scene, one of the characters tells Adams he wants to add a floor to his house, while another tries to get a permit to open a restaurant, New York Magazine reported.
The president of the Brooklyn region at the time admitted that the man was from Turkey, but told them he did not speak Turkish.
Adams plays himself in the short film. New York Masali Although the president of the Brooklyn region at the time could not help the man, they thanked him by kissing his hand. New York Masali
“Brooklyn loves Turkey. Brooklyn is America’s Istanbul. We love your food, we love your music, but I don’t understand Turkish,” Adams said in the clip.
“We can take selfies, though,” he added before the group took a quick photo and both thanked him.
Clips of Adams’ odd forays into acting, that is also shared on X by Politico New York City reporter Jeff Coltin, comes as federal authorities investigate whether his 2021 mayoral campaign received illegal donations from Turkey.
Instead, Adams told the men that he could take a selfie with them before the three posed. New York Masali Adams played himself in the 2017 romantic comedy “New York Masali” (“Fairytale of New York”).New York Masali
Last week, the home of one of Adams’ top fundraisers, Brianna Suggs, was raided by the feds as they investigated potential public corruption. Investigators are looking for evidence that the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government and a Williamsburg-based construction company to funnel foreign money into his campaign account using straw donors.
Straw donors are people or companies who illegally make donations with other people’s money, but using their own name.
The feds warrant says agents are looking for evidence of theft of federal funds, wire fraud, conspiracy to steal federal funds and wire fraud conspiracy.
Federal agents raid the home of prominent Adams fundraiser Brianna Suggs.
Investigators are looking for evidence that the campaign withdrew benefits to KSK Construction Group’s principals and employees — as well as Turkish officials.
Neither Suggs — whose firm has received more than $150,000 from the mayor’s campaign team since 2021 — nor Adams has been arrested or charged with a crime.
Campaign finance records show that 11 KSK employees all donated to Adams’ campaign on the same day in 2021 and for roughly the same amount — including one employee who said he didn’t remember making the listed $1,250 donation.
Mayor Eric Adams attended a flag-raising ceremony for Turkey in Lower Manhattan earlier this month ahead of the country’s 100th anniversary as a republic. Ed Reed/Office of the Mayor Photography.
Contributions totaled nearly $14,000.
Hizzoner, meanwhile, denied any knowledge of the construction firm at the center of the investigation, saying in an interview Sunday, “I don’t know this organization at all … It’s one of many different groups and organizations that contributed to the campaign.”
Despite his efforts to minimize the raid and its aftermath, Adams took the news seriously enough that he was suddenly bailed on a meeting schedule with White House officials when news of the raid broke Thursday.
Adams canceled his trip to Washington, DC, after news of the raid broke Thursday.
A law enforcement source told The Post that the feds had been waiting for Adams to get out of town before they raided Suggs’ Crown Heights brownstone.
But Adams quickly returned to the Big Apple, skipping a highly sought-after meeting with Biden administration officials and other big-city mayors over the country’s growing immigration crisis.
Adams has repeatedly boasted about his ties to Turkey and crowed that no other New York City mayor has visited the country as often as he has.
“I was informed by our team that something was going on with the campaign staff, and I wanted to be here to make sure we were in full compliance,” Adams said.
“I have one of the best compliance teams any campaign has ever put together.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
