Esenyurt Municipality Probe Reveals 20% Kickback Scheme
Witnesses allege millions in cash delivered to official Yusuf Ulutaş for contract payments; MASAK report shows 231 million TL in transfers.
KEY POINTS
- Prosecutors allege a systematic 20% kickback scheme on municipal tenders and progress payments.
- Witness Halil Yılmaz claims he paid 9 million TL to official Yusuf Ulutaş in his office.
- Witness Orhan Yıldırım alleges he delivered $300,000-$400,000, including $100,000 in September.
- A voice recording details a 3 million TL cash handover at a patisserie linked to contract release.
- MASAK report shows 231 million TL moved through Ulutaş's accounts in 2025.
Istanbul prosecutors are investigating allegations that Esenyurt Municipality officials demanded kickbacks averaging 20% of contract values in exchange for awarding tenders and releasing progress payments. The probe relies on witness statements, bank records, phone taps, and a MASAK financial intelligence report.
Three witnesses gave corroborating accounts implicating municipal official Yusuf Ulutaş. Halil Yılmaz stated he paid 9 million TL in two installments inside Ulutaş's office. Orhan Yıldırım said he delivered between $300,000 and $400,000 over three or four meetings, including $100,000 in September.
“I paid 9 million TL in two installments in Yusuf Ulutaş's office.”
A voice recording entered into evidence captures contractor Erhan Toprak describing a 3 million TL cash handover at the Seyrantepe Patisserie to a relative of ASM Construction's Salih Yılmaz. Suspect Ümit Ünal confirmed Toprak told him the money ultimately reached Ulutaş, after which Toprak's payment was released.
MASAK analysis flagged transfers exceeding 231 million TL through Ulutaş's accounts in 2025. Investigators also found that after Namık Çebi Construction received progress payments, 20% of the sums were withdrawn in cash shortly after.
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