After a series of searches executed at the homes of three of Mayor Eric Adams’ top aides on Wednesday, on Thursday afternoon, the FBI raided NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban’s home.
The raid on Caban unfolded as agents stormed the homes of deputy mayors Phil Banks and Sheena Wright, according to law-enforcement sources. Another top Adams aide – Timothy Pearson – had his phones subpoenaed, according to the sources. Phil Banks’ brother Terence Banks, a former MTA official and current lobbyist, was also targeted in the actions, sources said.
At present, there are few details and the purpose of the raids and subpoenas remained unclear, but sources said it did not appear to be related to another federal investigation into Adams’ 2021 campaign’s dealings with Turkey. Members of the Adams administration, and the Mayor himself, have been the subject of numerous investigations and subpoenas.
“The Department is aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York involving members of service. The Department is fully cooperating in the investigation,” an NYPD spokesperson said in a statement Thursday, referring questions to Manhattan federal prosecutors.
Caban could not be reached for comment.
On Wednesdy, federal agents raided the homes of three of Mayor Eric Adams’ top aides, according to an administration official familiar with the matter.
The FBI searched the Manhattan home of the first deputy mayor, Sheena Wright, which she shares with her partner, Schools Chancellor David Banks. Agents also searched the Queens home of the deputy mayor for public safety, Phil Banks.
The searches represent federal law enforcement officials’ deepest incursion yet into the mayor’s inner circle, a trio close political observers often refer to as “the family.” Phil Banks is one of the mayor’s closest allies, and their relationship dates back to their days in the NYPD. Schools Chancellor David Banks is the deputy mayor’s brother, and is in a relationship with Wright.
“Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation,” the mayor’s chief counsel Lisa Zornberg said in a statement. “As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made clear that all members of the team need to follow the law.”
The administration official, who requested anonymity to speak about a legal matter, said City Hall does not believe the Wednesday raids were connected to the campaign finance investigation. The mayor himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Edward Kim, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, declined to comment.
