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Mayor Eric Adams is currently facing corruption allegations, with his lawyer defending him by comparing the acceptance of discounted international flights from Turkish Airlines to perks received by members of Congress. The lawyer emphasized that these were upgrades on flights with available seats and were common practices for VIPs and government officials. However, while members of Congress do receive some perks when booking flights, there are strict ethics regulations in place to prevent the acceptance of lavish gifts or engaging in quid pro quo situations.
Congressional offices have access to the City Pair Program, which allows them to negotiate airline fares for official travel. Lawmakers often book multiple flights on the same day and can receive free upgrades to first class if available. While these perks are part of being a frequent flier and government employee, there are rules in place to ensure that upgrades are offered to all similarly situated individuals and not solely based on one’s status as a member of Congress.
Although some activists have raised concerns about these benefits creating conflicts of interest and favoring the airline industry, the practice remains in place. The Members’ Handbook allows for the use of promotional awards like free travel, mileage, discounts, and upgrades at the discretion of the member or their employee, as long as they are available to others in similar circumstances.
However, it is essential to adhere to ethical guidelines, and accepting upgrades that are not offered to others could violate these rules. The current practice in Congress differs from the behavior described in the allegations against Mayor Adams, who is accused of accepting free or heavily discounted international flights and accommodations in exchange for using his influence to benefit Turkey.
The indictment against Mayor Adams goes beyond flight upgrades and includes years of alleged graft involving luxurious overseas accommodations and favors for Turkey. This case highlights the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in public office, as well as the need to uphold integrity and accountability in government dealings.
Source: The NY Times
