Federal authorities conducted raids at the homes of several top officials in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, including Police Commissioner Edward Caban, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, according to sources.
These actions on Wednesday were part of an ongoing investigation led by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) acknowledged the investigation but did not specify which personnel were under scrutiny. The department stated that it is fully cooperating with the authorities. Sources indicated that electronic devices, including cellphones, were seized from Wright and Banks, while Timothy Pearson, a mayoral advisor and former high-ranking NYPD official, was also targeted in the raids.
The investigation is believed to focus on NYPD executives, with some reportedly asked to voluntarily surrender their electronic devices. Despite the raids, Mayor Adams remained calm, expressing his confidence in the integrity of his administration and its compliance with the law. He stated, “We follow the rules,” and pledged full cooperation with the inquiry.
Though there has been no official explanation for the raids, sources have suggested that this investigation is separate from previous inquiries into Mayor Adams’ 2021 campaign fundraising or his international travel. The raids mark a new chapter in the scrutiny facing the Adams administration, which has already seen several high-profile investigations.
First Deputy Mayor Wright and Deputy Mayor Banks, who share close ties to Mayor Adams, are among those affected by this probe. Schools Chancellor David Banks, the brother of Philip Banks, was also present at his home, though his involvement remains unclear.
As of now, no criminal charges have been filed, and the scope of the investigation remains undisclosed.
CBS News, CNN, FOX News, and New York Post contributed to this report.
