The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, has been indicted on five criminal counts in a corruption probe involving soliciting bribes from wealthy foreign businesspeople as well as receiving illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals. The bribes include US$100,000 worth of luxury international travel and at least one from a Turkish government official. Prosecutors alleged that Mr. Adams pressured government officials into approving paperwork for the Turkish House, a Manhattan skyscraper that houses the Turkish Consulate.
Two weeks ago, Jamaica’s Integrity Commission presented a report to Parliament in which it raised serious concerns about the 2021 financial declaration of Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The Commission alleged that Mr. Holness omitted bank accounts from his declaration and had an unexplained increase in his net worth of J$1.9 million, equivalent to US$12,000. The Commission also disclosed that three companies linked to the Prime Minister filed tax returns showing no taxable income, despite conducting transactions worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Additionally, one company wholly owned by Mr. Holness was being investigated for a loan issued to it in the amount of J$50 million, equivalent to US$310,000. The Prime Minister has disputed the Commission’s findings which have been referred to the Financial Investigations Division for further investigation. The Director of Corruption Prosecution has indicated that there is not enough evidence to press charges against Mr. Holness in relation to the filing of incomplete declaration.
