Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York accuse the Democrat of seeking and accepting luxury international travel from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official for nearly a decade in exchange for official favors. In 2017, when he was the Brooklyn Borough President, Adams accepted a heavily discounted stay at the St. Regis Istanbul owned by a businesswoman who "sought to ingratiate herself with Adams," the indictment says.
Although the Bentley Suite for two nights would have cost approximately $7,000, Adams paid less than $600, the indictment says. He also did not disclose the trip as he was required to do as an elected official. Adams also received more than $100,000 in free or discounted travel on Turkey's national airline, free meals at high-end restaurants in Turkey and free "luxurious entertainment," according to the indictment.
Prosecutors say Adams kept fake paper trails and deleted messages in order to hide his misconduct – in one instance, assuring a co-conspirator he "always" deleted her messages. "As Adams' prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash in on their corrupt relationships with him, particularly when, in 2021, it became clear that Adams would become New York City's mayor," the indictment says. "Adams agreed, providing favorable treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he received.
" The alleged favors included an effort by Adams in Sept. 2021, after he became mayor, to pres.