Consulate at Heart of Adams Case Got Special Treatment, Review Finds

The Turkish Consulate was the only building of its size allowed to open without a required fire safety certification, an investigation by the city comptroller found.

The Turkish Consulate at the center of the federal charges against Mayor Eric Adams was the only building of its size allowed to open without a required fire safety certification, according to an investigation the city comptroller released on Wednesday.

The investigation found that the $300 million, 35-story building in Manhattan was granted a dozen temporary approvals over three years and is operating without a certificate of occupancy.

The indictment against Mr. Adams accuses him of pressuring the Fire Department to allow the building to open in 2021, despite defects in its fire safety system, in time for an opening ceremony with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Prosecutors have said that the mayor accepted luxury travel worth more than $100,000 and illegal campaign contributions in exchange for his help with the consulate, which occurred after he had won the Democratic mayoral primary but before he was elected mayor.

The comptroller, Brad Lander, is running for mayor against Mr. Adams. His investigation, detailed in a 34-page document, did not mention Mr. Adams by name, except for one reference to his indictment. But Mr. Lander said in a statement that city officials had put public safety at risk.

“By rushing to allow the opening of Turkish House in advance of a ribbon-cutting ceremony with President Erdogan,” Mr. Lander said, the Buildings Department and Fire Department “cut serious corners that could have compromised the safety of the occupants and neighbors of the building.”