New York, NY – A prominent Brooklyn construction magnate avoided prison time Friday after admitting he conspired to funnel illegal campaign contributions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams during the 2021 mayoral race.

Erden Arkan, 76, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to one year of probation, along with a $9,500 fine and $18,000 restitution, for orchestrating a straw donor scheme involving his employees.

Judge Dale Ho, who presided over the case, acknowledged Arkan’s wrongdoing but cited his age and otherwise clean record in granting leniency. “I hope that you don’t let this one mistake define you,” Ho told Arkan, noting that the Turkish-born businessman’s rise from immigrant to successful developer “exemplifies the American dream.”

Regret and Apology

In court, Arkan expressed deep remorse: “I love this city. I dedicated my life to making it better. It pains me that I have harmed it.”

He admitted in January that he reimbursed employees of his construction firm, KSK Construction, after they contributed between $1,200 and $1,500 each to Adams’ campaign — a practice banned under federal law. Those donations allowed Adams’ campaign to tap into the city’s lucrative matching funds program, which multiplies small-dollar contributions with taxpayer money.

“I regret my poor judgments,” Arkan told the court, apologizing directly to city taxpayers.

A Case with Political Ripples

The sentencing closes one of the remaining threads in a high-profile corruption probe that once threatened the political career of Mayor Adams.

Arkan’s lawyer, Jonathan Rosen, blasted federal prosecutors for pursuing his client after charges against the mayor were dismissed. “To put it mildly, this is a very unusual case. In fact, it is unprecedented,” Rosen said.

Earlier this year, Justice Department leadership instructed prosecutors to drop Adams’ case, saying it interfered with his ability to work with the administration on immigration enforcement. Judge Ho reluctantly agreed, dismissing the charges but calling the government’s rationale “troubling.”

Adams, who had been indicted on bribery and campaign finance charges, maintained his innocence. “I have not committed a crime,” the former NYPD captain told the court in February. His campaign for reelection continues as an independent after skipping the Democratic primary.

Broader Investigation

While Adams’ charges were dropped, federal investigators pressed forward against Arkan and Mohamed Bahi, a former City Hall aide. Bahi, who served as Adams’ Muslim community liaison, pleaded guilty this week to soliciting straw donations at a 2020 fundraiser.

Prosecutors alleged that Adams personally solicited contributions from Arkan and a Turkish consular official at an April 2021 dinner. A month later, Arkan hosted a fundraiser at his Brooklyn headquarters where 10 employees donated to the campaign — later reimbursed illegally by Arkan.

The scheme was uncovered after FBI raids in late 2023, which included searches of Arkan’s home, Adams’ chief fundraiser’s residence, and the home of his Turkish community liaison.

Community Standing and Fallout

Arkan, a respected figure in New York’s Turkish community, had built a reputation as both a successful builder and community supporter. His ties to Adams, however, cast new scrutiny on how ethnic and business networks intersect with city politics.

The case highlights broader concerns about New York City’s public matching funds program, designed to amplify small-dollar donors. Prosecutors say the system, while empowering grassroots candidates, has also created opportunities for fraud through straw donor schemes.

Despite Friday’s sentencing, questions linger about how close Adams came to legal jeopardy — and whether federal prosecutors will continue probing his campaign’s fundraising practices.

Originally reported by Michael R. Sisak in AP News.