Elected/public state and local officials who went on Gulenist Turkey trips
Page created April 25, 2012; last updated Dec 9, 2014
"To date, more than 6000 Americans have traveled to Turkey at the invitation of Hizmet institutes and have returned to support the activities of the Turkish immigrant circles." - Sophia Pandya & Nancy Gallagher in their 2012 book The Gulen Hizmet Movement and Its Transnational Activities
The standard Gulen Lobby Turkey trip is 9-10 days long. Starting in 2012, some Turkey trips include a stopover in oil-rich Azerbaijan (see this page for details), a country whose government has had close ties with the Gulen Movement, and the first country outside Turkey where Gulen schools were founded. Starting in 2014, some include a stop in the small Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan, where the Gulen Movement also has a chain of schools.
Key points about these trips:
- When the value of these trips (as gifts) are disclosed to the public, the amount has ranged from $635 to $12,540. The reason for the variability is unclear, since the itinerary tends to be very similar in nearly all cases. Most commonly a figure around $3500 has been used. To subsidize 6000 people at this level means the Gulen Lobby had invested $21 million in these trips as of 2012.
- Most state and local officials are not required to report international trips when they are not paid with government funds. This means that many more public officials went on these trips without leaving a trace, and therefore could not be listed below.
- The websites of Gulenist organizations that invite these officials (e.g., the Istanbul Center, Turquoise Council, etc) often mention that a number of public officials went on a trip without listing their names.
- State and local officials accepting these invitations are often not well-informed about either the Gulen Movement or current Turkish politics prior to the trip.
- The Gulen Lobby is the first foreign lobby to systematically target state and local officials on such a large scale (other foreign lobbies have mainly targeted Congressmen, who are required by law to report all trips).
- While in Turkey, public officials may be staying in Gulen Movement-affiliated hotels or dormitories. During such times, their phone or internet communications may be easily accessible to Gulenists.
- US-based Gulenist 501(c)3 "dialog" organizations may be the ones inviting the officials, but the actual source of funds is often unknown and may be a Gulenist organization based in Turkey such as BAKIAD.
- To date, we have not seen even one IRS Form 990 for any of the organizations sponsoring these trips that checks the "yes" box in answer to the question "Did the organization engage in lobbying activities?"
While another page already lists Congressional trips; this page is for state legislators, governors, mayors, attorney generals, and other state and local officials. Most are elected, but a few appointed officials may be included below, as well as some former officials. (Former officials retain influence and contacts and therefore are of interest too.)
Alabama
Date: 2011; Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (also involved:
Turkish American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast U.S., Peace Valley Foundation, Istanbul Center); Source: June 3, 2012
- Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster
- Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville
- Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Arab
- Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills
- Secretary of the Senate Pat Harris
Arizona
- Jannah Scott, advisor to Governor Janet Napolitano (Date: 2008; Source: Sep 22, 2008)
- State Rep. David Lujan (Date: 2008; Source: Sep 22, 2008)
- State Rep. Theresa Ulmer (Date: 2008; Source: Sep 22, 2008)
- State Senator Linda Grey (Date: 2008; Source: Sep 22, 2008)
- State Rep. Steve Farley (Sponsor/Organizer: Acacia Foundation; source, Acacia Foundation website, accessed Dec 8, 2013)
- State Rep. Ed Ableser (Sponsor/Organizer: Acacia Foundation; source, Acacia Foundation website, accessed Dec 8, 2013)
- State Rep. Jackie Thrasher (Sponsor/Organizer: Acacia Foundation; source, Acacia Foundation website, accessed Dec 8, 2013)
- State Senator Michele Reagan (source)
Arkansas
- State Representative Karen Hopper R-District 81 (Date: July 2010; Sponsor: Raindrop Turkish House; Source: click here)
- Secretary of State Mark Martin (source) (May 2013; Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians)
- State Representative George McGill (source) (summer 2013; Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians)
California
- State Senator Bob Huff R-District 29 (Date: 2011; Source: Nov 24, 2011)
- Congressman Bob Filner (Sponsor: Pacifica Institute; Dates: Dec 2010, Apr 2011; Source: May 11, 2012)
- Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry (Sponsor: Pacifica Institute; Date: 2009; Source: Apr 3, 2010)
- Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca (Sponsor: Pacifica Institute; source)
- Jeffrey Jennings, Malibu Mayor (Sponsor/Organizer: Acacia Foundation; source, Acacia Foundation website, accessed Dec 8, 2013)
- Cruz Reynoso, Former Associate of Justice, California Supreme Court (Sponsor/Organizer: Acacia Foundation; source, Acacia Foundation website, accessed Dec 8, 2013)
- Rep. Mike Honda (Source: Turkic American Alliance Newsletter Vol. 3 Issue 8)
- Secretary of State Debra Bowen (Source: her Twitter account)
Colorado
- State Legislator Cherylin Peniston (Sponsor: Multicultural Mosaic Foundation; Source: Apr 19, 2009)
- Colarado State Attorney General John William Suthers with spouse Janet Suthers (Sponsor: West America Turkic Council; Source: Aug 5, 2011)
- State Rep. Susan Ryden with spouse Edwin Jerome Ryden (Sponsor: West America Turkic Council; Source: Aug 5, 2011)
Connecticut
- State Senator Theresa "Terry" Gerratana (date unknown but sometime between June 2011 and Aug 2014; 10 days; Turkish Cultural Center CT)
- State Senator Andrew Maynard (date unknown but sometime between June 2011 and Aug 2014; 10 days; Turkish Cultural Center CT)
Delaware
- 4 State Representatives, 1 State Senator; names unknown. Date: Aug 2012? Sponsors: ATFA DE (American Turkish Friendship Association Delaware); MAFTAA (Mid Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations). Source: MAFTAA website, post dated Aug 28, 2012.
Florida
- Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford (Sponsor: Amity Turkish Cultural Center; Source: May 11, 2010)
- State Representative Jennifer Carroll (Sponsor: Amity Turkish Cultural Center; Source: May 11, 2010)
- State Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed (Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians; May 2012, source)
- Doral Councilwoman Bettina Rodriguez-Aguilera (2014, Turkic American Federation of Southeast) (source)
- State Senator Rene Garcia (2014, Turkic American Federation of Southeast) (source)
- Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez (2014, Turkic American Federation of Southeast) (source)
- Thomas Masters, Mayor of Riviera Beach (2014, Turkic American Federation of Southeast) (source)
- Jorge Gonzalez, Commissioner at Large for City of North Bay Village (2014, Turkic American Federation of the Southeast) (source)
- Ivonne Cuesta, Florida 11th Judicial Circuit County Judge (2014, Turkic American Federation of the Southeast) (source)
Georgia
Dates unknown; before June 2013 Sponsor: Istanbul Center (Source: June 7, 2013)
Date: June 2013 Sponsor: Istanbul Center (Source: June 26, 2013)
Date: May 2013 Sponsor: Turquoise Council Turkey + US-Azerbaijan Convention in Baku (Source: June 26, 2013)
Date: May 2013 Sponsor: Istanbul Center (source) Airfare, per diem paid by City of Savannah
State Senator Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga (Source: Jan 3, 2012)
Date: May 13-21, 2012
Sponsor: Istanbul Center (Dr. Mustafa Sahin, guide)
Source: Istanbul Center website
Date: unknown Sponsors: The IDEA Society & Istanbul Center Source: IDEA Society website
Dates unknown; before June 2013 Sponsor: Istanbul Center (Source: June 7, 2013)
- Thomas Brown, DeKalb County Sheriff
- Congressman Hank Johnson
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan
- Executives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development
Date: June 2013 Sponsor: Istanbul Center (Source: June 26, 2013)
- State Rep. John Daffendaugh (R)
- State Rep. Tom Taylor (R)
Date: May 2013 Sponsor: Turquoise Council Turkey + US-Azerbaijan Convention in Baku (Source: June 26, 2013)
- State Rep. Ron Stephens (R)
Date: May 2013 Sponsor: Istanbul Center (source) Airfare, per diem paid by City of Savannah
- Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson
- Savannah Alderman Tom Bordeaux
State Senator Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga (Source: Jan 3, 2012)
Date: May 13-21, 2012
Sponsor: Istanbul Center (Dr. Mustafa Sahin, guide)
Source: Istanbul Center website
- Senators Donzella James
- Senator Gloria Butler
- Senator Valencia Seay
- Senator Horacena Tate
- Senator Miriam Paris
- Senator Nan Orrock
- Representative Michele Henson
Date: unknown Sponsors: The IDEA Society & Istanbul Center Source: IDEA Society website
- Athens Mayor Heidi Davison
Hawaii
Date: Nov 2013 Sponsor: Pacifica Institute Source
Date: Nov 2013 Sponsor: Pacifica Institute Source
- State Sen. J. Kalani English + "legislative delegation."
Idaho
Date: September 2011
Sponsor: Pacifica Institute
Source: Idaho Statesman
Date: Spring 2011
Sponsor: Pacifica Institute
Source: Idaho Statesman
Date: September 2011
Sponsor: Pacifica Institute
Source: Idaho Statesman
- Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill R-District 27
- Sen. John McGee R-District 10
- Sen. Diane Bilyeu D-District 29
- Sen. Lee Heider R-District 24
- Rep. Janice McGeachin
- Sen. Curt McKenzie
- Rep. Donna Pence
- Sen. Joe Stegner
- Sen. Michelle Stennett
- Sen. John Tippetts
Date: Spring 2011
Sponsor: Pacifica Institute
Source: Idaho Statesman
- Rep. Dennis Lake
- Sen. Edgar Malepeai
- Rep. John Rusche
Illinois
- State Rep. Keith Farnham (D-Elgin), Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), representatives from the Chicago Department of Aviation. Guide: Mevlut "Hilmi" Cinar of Niagara Foundation Dates: Nov 2012 Source: Courier News, Dec 9, 2012
- "Several lawmakers" including State Senator Bill Brady (Date: 2008; Source Jun 16, 2009)
- State Senator James Meeks (Source: Mar 21, 2012 blog entry)
- State House Rep. Jack Franks (Source: Mar 21, 2012 blog entry)
- State Senator Pamela Althoff (R) (source)
- State Rep. Michael Madigan (D) (source)
- Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke
- State Rep. Renee Kosel (source)
Indiana
- State Senator Brandt Hershman (Niagara Foundation; source)
- State Senator Vi Simpson (Niagara Foundation; source)
- State Senator Jim Arnold (Niagara Foundation; source)
- State Senator Karen Tallian (Niagara Foundation; source)
- State Senator Jim Lewis (Niagara Foundation; source)
- State Representative Linda Lawson (Niagara Foundation; source)
- State Representative Vernon Smith (Niagara Foundation; source)
- Jason Dombkowski, West Lafayette Chief of Police (Niagara Foundation; source)
- Virgil Madden, Lt. Governor’s Policy Advisor (Niagara Foundation; source)
- Chris Crabtree, Lt. Governor’s Chief of Staff (Niagara Foundation; source)
- Suellen Reed, former Superintendent of Public Education (Niagara Foundation; source)
Kentucky
- Anthany Beatty, Lexington Mayor candidate & Assistant Vice President of Campus Services University of Kentucky (2009; Rumi Forum; value $2055)
- 1 State Senator; name unknown. Date: Aug 2012? Sponsors: ATFA DE (American Turkish Friendship Association Delaware); MAFTAA (Mid Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations). Source: MAFTAA website, post dated Aug 28, 2012.
Louisiana
- Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden (Sponsor: Atlas Foundation; Source: Apr 4, 2010)
Maine
Date: August 2013 Sponsors: Turkish Cultural Center of Maine, Council of Turkic American Associations
Date: summer 2012 Sponsor: Council of Turkic American Associations (CTAA) Estimated trip value: $3300/person Source: Kennebec Journal, Feb 17, 2013
Date: August 2013 Sponsors: Turkish Cultural Center of Maine, Council of Turkic American Associations
- State Senator Roger Katz
- State Rep. Karen Kusiak
- State Rep. Dennis Lee Keschl
Date: summer 2012 Sponsor: Council of Turkic American Associations (CTAA) Estimated trip value: $3300/person Source: Kennebec Journal, Feb 17, 2013
- State Senator Joseph Brannigan, D-Portland and spouse
- State Representative Dennis Keschl, R-Belgrade and spouse
- State Representative Jane Knapp, R-Gorham
Maryland
Date: Spring 2011
Sponsors: Maryland Turkish American Inhabitants (MARTI), Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA)
Source: Baltimore Sun
State Senator Verna Jones-Rodwell (source) (TAA; ATFA-MD)
Date: Spring 2011
Sponsors: Maryland Turkish American Inhabitants (MARTI), Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA)
Source: Baltimore Sun
- Delegate Gail Bates
- Maryland Secretary of State John P. McDonough
- Five Maryland legislators (names unknown)
- Senator James M. Robey
State Senator Verna Jones-Rodwell (source) (TAA; ATFA-MD)
Massachusetts
- Speaker Pro Tem Patricia Haddad
- Reps. Kay Khan (D-Newton)
- Rep. Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown)
- Rep. Gailanne Cariddi (D-North Adams)
Michigan
- Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett Date: June 2013 Sponsor: Niagara Foundation (source)
Minnesota
- State Senator Sandy Pappas (Summer 2010; Sponsor: Niagara Foundation; Source: Twin Cities Daily Planet)
- State Representative Jerry Newton (Sponsor: Niagara Foundation)
- Jennifer Berquam, Finance Committee Administrator, Agriculture and Rural Economies Committee Administrator for Minnesota Senate (Sponsor: Niagara Foundation)
- State Senator Claire Robling
- (Former) State Senator Phil Riveness
Missouri
- State Senator Harry Kennedy (Year: 2008; Sponsors: Turkish American Society of Missouri and BAKIAD; Sources: Missouri senate website; Kennedy's 2008 Capitol Report)
- Senator Jolie Justus
- Prosecutor Beth Murano, Kansas City
- Kansas City Council Women Melba Curls
- Jackson County Legislator Theresa Garza Ruiz
Montana
- Secretary of State Linda McCulloch (source)
Nebraska
- State Senator Amanda McGill (read her testimonial in the Gulenist propaganda newspaper Today's Zaman, July 31, 2011)
- State Senator Brenda Council (source: NFON website)
- State Senator Tanya Cook (source: NFON website)
Nevada
- Lieutenant Governor Brain Krolicki (source)
- Michael Poehlman, Reno Police Chief (Sponsor/Organizer: Acacia Foundation; source, Acacia Foundation website, accessed Dec 8, 2013)
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans And Eurasians
Source: The Santa Fe New Mexican, June 1, 2011
Date: Fall 2010
Date: 2011 (first half of year)
Date: June 2011
Date: unknown
Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans And Eurasians
Source: The Santa Fe New Mexican, June 1, 2011
Date: Fall 2010
- State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino
- Senate President pro-tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell,
- State Senator George Muñoz, D-Gallup
- others (names unknown)
Date: 2011 (first half of year)
- State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque
- Rep. Debbie Rodella, D-Española
- other state legislators (names unknown)
Date: June 2011
- State Senator Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque
- State Senator Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque
Date: unknown
- State Senator Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque
New York
- Honorable Assemblyman Kevin Cahill D-District 101("observations from his trips to Turkey;" Source: CTAA website)
- Other state legislators; names unknown. ("NY State Legislators made final presentations on their experiences from their recent trips to Turkey;" Source: CTAA website)
- Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari (source: June 19, 2012) Date: prior to 2012. Sponsor: Turkish Cultural Center Albany
- Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (source)
- State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (source)
- Assemblyman Eric Stevenson: "I will be attending in a Trip to Turkey by TCC" (unknown if the trip actually transpired) (source)
North Carolina
Date: Oct 2011 Sponsor: Divan Center (source1, source2)
Date: Oct 2011 Sponsor: Divan Center (source1, source2)
- House
Speaker Thom Tillis (R) Oct 2011
- Rules Committee Chairman, Rep. Tim Moore (R-Cleveland)
- Rep. Chuck McGrady (R)
- Rep. Mitch Gillespie (R-Marion)
- 4 other NC House representatives, Republicans (names as yet unknown)
North Dakota
Date: June 2013 Sponsor: Turkish American Federation of the Midwest (source1, source2, source3)
Date: June 2013 Sponsor: Turkish American Federation of the Midwest (source1, source2, source3)
- Rep. Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks
- Rep. Ben Hanson, D
- Rep. Larry Klemin, R
- Rep. Lois Delmore, D-Grand Forks
- Sen. Phil Murphy, D-Portland
- Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks
- Sen. David O’Connell, D (and spouse)
Ohio
- State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (86th District) (Niagara Foundation, Serkan Aykan)
- State Rep. Peter Beck (67th District) (Niagara Foundation, Serkan Aykan)
- State Rep. Bob Peterson (85th District) (Niagara Foundation, Serkan Aykan)
- Jeremy Shaffer, Highland County Commissioner (Niagara Foundation, Serkan Aykan)
- Bret Dixon, Clinton County Economic and Business Development Director (Niagara Foundation, Serkan Aykan)
- Janelle Mead, Ohio Department of Agriculture Markets Division Chief (Niagara Foundation, Serkan Aykan)
- Tim Sword, Global Agriculture Program Manager, Ohio Development Services Agency (Ohio state govt) (Niagara Foundation, Serkan Aykan)
Oklahoma
Date: July 2013 (inferred from article date) Source: July 8, 2013
Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (TCAE)
Gulenist contacts: Orhan Kucukosman, Ersin Demirci
- Phil Cotten, Norman Chief of Police (2014; Institute of Interfaith Dialog; 10 days; source)
Date: July 2013 (inferred from article date) Source: July 8, 2013
Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (TCAE)
Gulenist contacts: Orhan Kucukosman, Ersin Demirci
- Rita Adell Aragon, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
- State Rep. John Trebilcock (R)
- State Rep. Tom Newell (R) (name given as "Tomas Ray Newell" in article)
- Senator Cliff Aldridge (with spouse Deeann Aldridge)
- Chad Smith, Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation (Sponsor: Institute of Interfaith Dialog; Source: here)
- State Senator Sean Burrage D-District 2 (Sponsor: Institute of Interfaith Dialog; Source: here)
- Senator Gary Stanislawski R-District 35 (source)
- Secretary of State Susan Savage
- Attorney General Drew Edmondson
- Director, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Darrell Weaver
- Deputy Director, Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation Tom Jordan
Pennsylvania
- State Senator Mike Brubaker (Sponsors: Turkish Cultural Center of Pennsylvania and Red Rose Intercultural and Educational Foundation; Guide Sait Onal; Source here)
- State Senator David Argall (R-29) (2012; Lehigh Dialogue Center; declared value $2650)
South Carolina
Date: October 2011
Sponsor: South Carolina Dialogue Foundation and "unidentified sponsors in Turkey
Trip value: $7,047 per person
Source: Rick Brundrett, TheNerve.org, viewed here.
Date: October 2011
Sponsor: South Carolina Dialogue Foundation and "unidentified sponsors in Turkey
Trip value: $7,047 per person
Source: Rick Brundrett, TheNerve.org, viewed here.
- State Senator Creighton Coleman, D-Fairfield
- State Senator Mike Fair, R-Greenville
- State Senator Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg
- State Senator John Land, D-Clarendon
- State Senator Phil Leventis, D-Sumter
- State Senator John Matthews, D-Orangeburg
- State Senator Mike Rose, R-Dorchester
- State Senator Vince Sheheen, D-Kershaw
Tennessee
Date: June 2013 Sponsor: Turkish American Chamber of Commerce (source)
Source: NewsChannel5, Nashville, Apr 29, 2013
Date: 2012
Accepted invitation to go on May 2013 trip: (source1, source2)
Trip value: $4000 per person
Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (providing funds) +
Turkish American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast (sending invitations)
Rep. Harry Brooks is "helping to coordinate" this trip
- State Senator Bill Ketron (Atlantic Institute)
Date: June 2013 Sponsor: Turkish American Chamber of Commerce (source)
- Memphis City councilman Myron Lowery
- State Rep. Antonio Parkinson
- other "Memphis leaders" (names as yet unknown)
Source: NewsChannel5, Nashville, Apr 29, 2013
Date: 2012
- Rep. Harry Brooks (R) House Education Committee Chairman
- Rep. Joe Armstrong D-Knoxville
- Sen. Reginald Tate, D-Memphis
- Rep. Josh Evans, R-Greenbrier
- Rep. Gary Odom, D-Nashville
Accepted invitation to go on May 2013 trip: (source1, source2)
Trip value: $4000 per person
Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (providing funds) +
Turkish American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast (sending invitations)
Rep. Harry Brooks is "helping to coordinate" this trip
- Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis
- Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville
- Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown
- Rep. Vance Dennis, R-Savannah
- Rep. Roger Kane, R-Knoxville
- Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis
- Rep. Joe Towns, D-Memphis
- Rep. Johnnie Turner, D-Memphis
- Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, R-Lancaster
- Tennessee Safety Commissioner Bill Gibbons
- Tennessee Assistant Safety Commissioner David Purkey
Texas
- State Senator Rodney Ellis D-District 13 (source)
- State Representative Alma Allen D-District 131 (source)
- State Senator Eddie Lucio (source)
- State Senator Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay (Sponsor: Turquoise Council; source)
- Austin Mayor Will Wynn (source)
- State Senator Leticia van de Putte
- State Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, and his wife (source)
- Meria Carstarphen, Superintendent of the Austin Independent School District, with 10 staff members (note: she is actually appointed by elected officials, not elected herself) (source 1; source 2)
- Grady Prestage, Fort Bend County Commissioner Pct 2 (Tarik Celik, Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce)
- Bob Hebert, Fort Bend County Judge (Tarik Celik, Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce)
- Beth Wolf, Fort Bend County Judge’s Office (Tarik Celik, Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce)
- Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston (source)
- Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine (source)
Vermont
- State Rep. Jean O’Sullivan
- State Rep. Michael Yantachka
Virginia
Dates: Oct 25 - Nov 3, 2013
Sponsor: ATFA (American Turkish Friendship Association)
Source: Washington Post, Nov 17, 2013; Adana, Turkey city website
Guides: Mahmut Yeter (MAFTAA) and Mustafa Akpinar (Pinnacle Academy principal)
Dates: May 16-23, 2013
Sponsor: ATFA (American Turkish Friendship Association)
Date: May 4-13, 2012
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Sources: May 5, 2012; Virginia Public Access Project; ATFA website
Date: 2012
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Source: Virginia Public Access Project
Date: unknown
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Source: Feb 23, 2012
Date: 2011
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Date: 2010
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association ("The organization spent more than $36,000 to take state officials on trips during the year, making it the largest donor of 2010." - Sun Gazette, Feb 7, 2011)
Trip value: $5000 (per person)
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch; Sun Gazette
- Kristin Szakos, Mayor, Charlottesville (2014; Rumi Forum)
Dates: Oct 25 - Nov 3, 2013
Sponsor: ATFA (American Turkish Friendship Association)
Source: Washington Post, Nov 17, 2013; Adana, Turkey city website
Guides: Mahmut Yeter (MAFTAA) and Mustafa Akpinar (Pinnacle Academy principal)
- Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott K. York (R)
- Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton
- Prince William County Supervisor Martin E. Nohe (R-Coles)
- Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille (D)
- Purcellville Mayor Robert W. Lazaro Jr.
- Mark Gibb, Executive Director, Northern Virginia Regional Commission
Dates: May 16-23, 2013
Sponsor: ATFA (American Turkish Friendship Association)
- Fairfax County Supervisor John Cook
- Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust
- Fairfax County Attorney David Bobzien
- Fairfax County Deputy Executive David Rohrer
Date: May 4-13, 2012
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Sources: May 5, 2012; Virginia Public Access Project; ATFA website
- Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon S. Bulova (D) with husband Lou DeFalaise
- Senator Richard L Saslaw (D-Fairfax) (Value: $3700)
- Eleanor Saslaw, Former President, Virginia Board of Education
- Senator Barbara Ann Favola (D-Arlington) (Value: $3700)
- Delegate Robert H. Brink (D-Arlington) (Value: $1850)
Date: 2012
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Source: Virginia Public Access Project
- State Senator Henry L Marsh, III (D) $4,875
- State Senator Frank W Wagner (R) $3,700
- Delegate Riley E Ingram (R) $1,850
- Delegate James P Massie, III (R) $1,850
- Delegate Joseph D Morrissey (D) $1,800
Date: unknown
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
Source: Feb 23, 2012
- City of Fairfax Police Department Chief Rick Rappoport
Date: 2011
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association
- Delegate David L Bulova (D) + spouse Value: $3,000
- Delegate David Lawrence Englin (D) Value: $2,500
- State Senator David W Marsden (D) Value: $1,650
Date: 2010
Sponsor: American Turkish Friendship Association ("The organization spent more than $36,000 to take state officials on trips during the year, making it the largest donor of 2010." - Sun Gazette, Feb 7, 2011)
Trip value: $5000 (per person)
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch; Sun Gazette
- Sen. Janet D. Howell (D) with spouse
- Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D)
- Del. James M. Scott (D)
- Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-31st) with spouse Tom
- State Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-30th)
- Del. Adam Ebbin (D-49th) (declared value $2,500)
- Delegate Betsy Brooks Carr (D) (declared value $2,500)
- Delegate Mark D Sickles (D) (declared value $2,500)
- State Senator Patricia S Ticer (D) (declared value $2,500)
- State Senator John C Watkins (R) (declared value $2,500)
- Delegate Vivian E Watts (D) (declared value $2,500)
- State Senator J Chapman Petersen (D) (declared value $1,650)
Washington
- State Senator Pam Roach (source: June 25, 2013) "Host": Turkish American Chamber of Commerce; Sponsor: Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians; Value: $4,000 (included Azerbaijan)
West Virginia
Wisconsin
- Secretary of State Doug La Follette (source)
Wyoming
Date: July/Aug 2011 Sponsor: West America Turkic Council Source: Aug 5, 2011
Date: July/Aug 2011 Sponsor: West America Turkic Council Source: Aug 5, 2011
- State Rep. Thomas Edwin Lubnau with wife Rita Joe Lubnau
- State Sen. Fred Emerich (Fred McKay Emerich) with wife Prof. Dr. Keren Ann Meister-Emerich
- State Sen. John James Hines