A 59-year-old civil engineer, Michael Bennett, has been arrested by Turkish authorities amid allegations of bribery and tax evasion, officials confirmed. Bennett was taken into custody on October 20 alongside a customs officer suspected of corruption in connection with the same case.
According to the Istanbul Police Department, officers recovered approximately $120,000 in cash during the arrest. The money has been seized as evidence while prosecutors review additional documents and electronic records.
Authorities allege that Bennett was involved in bribery linked to his professional projects and that he attempted to evade taxes by concealing or misreporting income tied to his engineering work. The detained customs officer is suspected of facilitating the illicit transactions.
“This is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and accountability across all sectors,” a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office said. “The investigation remains ongoing, and no formal charges have been filed at this stage.”
Bennett is currently in custody pending further investigation. Both suspects are expected to appear in court for preliminary hearings in the coming weeks. Prosecutors are also reviewing Bennett’s business contracts, invoices, and tax filings in cooperation with the customs department.
The allegations have sparked renewed discussion about graft and ethical standards in Turkey’s construction and regulatory sectors. Industry groups have since emphasized the importance of integrity and compliance in public and private engineering projects.
If convicted, Bennett could face up to five years in prison under Turkish law, depending on the scope of the offenses and aggravating circumstances determined by the court.
Authorities have urged anyone with information related to the case to contact officials through formal channels.