Turkish mega-donor under scrutiny in NYC mayor scandal

A Turkish Democrat mega-donor, Murat Guzel, who has invested millions in campaigns for Kamala Harris and Barack Obama, is under scrutiny following the indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Guzel, aged 63, contributed approximately $10,000 to Adams’ mayoral campaign. Federal authorities accuse Adams of receiving illegal donations from Turkish officials disguised through “straw donors,” as stated in court documents.

Guzel’s lawyer has denied any involvement of Guzel in the straw donor scheme and asserted that he is not part of the Southern District of New York’s investigation into Adams. Despite strong ties to the Turkish government, Guzel has not been accused of any wrongdoing. He previously made political donations with the assistance of Pakistani-American venture capitalist Imaad Shah Zuberi, who is currently in prison for acting as a foreign agent.

A former federal agent mentioned that Guzel closely coordinated with Zuberi. Guzel received immunity from prosecution in relation to the Zuberi investigation after cooperating with the authorities. He operates a food importing company and gave $25,000 to Harris’ Victory Fund in April. Images posted online show him with ex-president Barack Obama, current president Joe Biden, and actor Robert De Niro. Documentation reveals Guzel has donated over $660,000 to Democratic campaigns and political action committees nationwide.

Democrat party donor with close Turkey ties bankrolled Harris, Obama, Eric Adams: ‘Should be scrutinized’: Murat Guzel, a Pennsylvania businessman, who has doled out hundreds of thousands to Democrats, including NYC Mayor Eric Adams, has close ties to… https://t.co/brjLdFJH5g

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Guzel has played a significant role in Pennsylvania Democratic Party politics, maintaining a close relationship with state senator Bob Casey. He credits Casey for introducing him to influential party members and has contributed over $20,000 to Casey’s re-election efforts. Additionally, Guzel donated $100,000 to a project led by Casey’s wife, Terese Casey, for the state’s 250th birthday celebration of the US in 2026. Guzel also supported Pennsylvania senator John Fetterman and Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar, and donated more than $220,000 to the Democratic National Committee, according to federal records.

In 2012, Guzel served as a Pennsylvanian delegate nominating Barack Obama for his re-election as the Democratic presidential candidate. He noted to Turk Network Magazine that he was the first Turkish American to hold such a position and mentioned his roles within the Democratic Senatorial Campaign. Guzel stated he was one of 50 individuals authorised to resolve internal party disputes.

Guzel’s collaboration with Zuberi dates back to that period. Zuberi was a significant fundraiser for Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign and contributed millions in his name, his spouse’s name, and through his venture capital firm, Avenue Ventures, as per court filings. Zuberi also contributed over $10,000 to Casey’s re-election campaign in 2012 and 2013. In 2015, he earned the “Hillblazer” title for contributing over $100,000 to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign within its initial months. Zuberi also made notable contributions to Republican candidates.

However, Zuberi pleaded guilty in 2019 to illegally lobbying for foreign governments and making illegal campaign contributions. He was convicted in 2021 of acting as a foreign agent for Sri Lanka and other countries, receiving a 12-year prison sentence.

Guzel, born in Turkey and studied electrical engineering, now runs a food importing business in Whitehall, Pennsylvania. He co-founded the Turkish American National Steering Committee, a US-based nonprofit closely linked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a report. Guzel also presided over MUSIAD USA, a Muslim Turkish industrialists’ group aligned with Erdogan. In May 2021, the group criticised “Israeli occupation forces and fanatical Jews” during the 2021 Gaza war on its Facebook page.

A Turkish-American professor, wishing to remain anonymous, highlighted that MUSIAD is closely tied to the Turkish government and suggested that Guzel’s connections to Erdogan warrant scrutiny. Guzel reportedly informed Erdogan’s son, Bilal Erdogan, about Turkish adversaries in the US, and an email obtained through Wikileaks showed Guzel writing to Erdogan’s son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, about supporting Erdogan against adversaries as an Islamic obligation.

In 2017, Guzel defended Erdogan after bodyguards at the Turkish Embassy in Washington attacked demonstrators during Erdogan’s US visit, resulting in nearly a dozen injuries. Mayor Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has resisted calls to resign.