On the June day in 2021 when Mr. Adams won the Democratic primary for mayor and all but assured his ascension to City Hall, his thoughts strayed. An Adams aide messaged the general manager of Turkish Airlines in New York, Cenk Ocal, to book flights for Mr. Adams to Istanbul. The staff member fits the description of Rana Abbasova, then Mr. Adams's liaison to Turkey. Mr. Ocal said he would charge the mayor $50, a price so low as to appear preposterous. And appearances mattered.
No, dear. $50? What? Quote a proper price, Ms. Abbasova responded. His every step is being watched right now. $1,000 or so. Let it be somewhat real. We don't want them to say he is flying for free.
Mr. Adams ended up paying about $2,200 for tickets for himself and his romantic partner, tickets that were promptly upgraded to business class and would have otherwise cost more than $15,000. When Ms. Abbasova asked Mr. Ocal where he would recommend that Mr. Adams stay in Istanbul, the manager suggested the Four Seasons.
Collection
[
|
...
]