Democrat party donor with close Turkey ties bankrolled Harris, Obama, Eric Adams: Should be scrutinized
A Turkish Democrat mega-donor who has poured millions into campaigns for Kamala Harris and Barack Obama is under scrutiny after the indictment of New York City mayor Eric Adams.Murat Guzel, 63, contributed around $10,000 to the mayoral campaign of Adams, who the federal government have accused of accepting illegal donations from Turkish officials concealed through “straw donors,” according to court papers.A lawyer who has represented Guzel denied the Turkish-American businessman is one of those straw donors and say he is not part of the Southern District of New York’s ongoing investigation into Adams.However, Guzel does have strong ties to the Turkish government and also made some of his previous political donations with the help of Pakistani-American venture capitalist Imaad Shah Zuberi, who is now in prison, convicted of being a foreign agent.“They were in close coordination,” a former federal agent told The Post this week.Guzel was granted immunity from prosecution in connection with the federal investigation into Zuberi, after co-operating with authorities.He has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Guzel, who runs a food importing company, gave $25,000 to Harris’ Victory Fund in April.
Pictures he posted online show him shaking hands with ex-president Barack Obama, current president Joe Biden and longtime party supporter, actor Robert De Niro.Paperwork also shows he has donated more than $660,000 to campaigns and political action committees for Democrats across the country.Guzel has been instrumental in Pennsylvania Democratic Party politics and is particularly close to state senator Bob Casey, crediting him with introducing him to party bigwigs.
He has also contributed more than $20,000 to Casey’s re-election campaigns.He also donated $100,000 to a project run by Casey’s wife, Terese Casey, to raise funds for the state’s celebration of the 250th birthday of the US in 2026.Guzel has also contributed to Pennsylvania senator John Fetterman as ...