The Depths Of The New York Corruption Scandal – OpEd
The alleged corruption scandal that has erupted in New York surrounding Mayor Eric Adams is a state-level incident cannot be overlooked. Allegations that Turkey has been bribing U.S. officials through foundations clearly highlights the international dimension of this scandal. If a foreign country can distribute bribes so openly, it’s not hard to believe that large foundations in the U.S. might employ similar tactics. It is a well-known fact that many large nonprofit organizations have foundation funds to conceal bribe money.
According to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Mayor Eric Adams acted in favor of a Turkish government official and pressured for the opening of a building prior to the visit of Turkey's President. Williams stated that the building needed to be ready in time for the presidential visit, creating significant time pressure. This pressure is linked to claims that Adams intervened to overlook fire safety issues at the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
Adams was once referred to as "Turkey's true friend" due to his close ties with the country. However, the emergence of this scandal suggests that he turned a blind eye to an important issue like fire safety in order to benefit a Turkish official. Allegedly, this official requested such a favor in exchange for a bribe. This situation raises serious questions about ethics and corruption on an international scale.
This scandal should not be seen merely as a local issue; it also reveals how foreign countries can infiltrate U.S. domestic politics. The ease with which Turkey can bribe at the state level through foundations serves as a crucial warning about the potential prevalence and systemic nature of corruption in the U.S. Such scandals prompt us to question how networks of corruption infiltrate the internal structures of governments not just in the U.S., but worldwide.