Federal investigators have launched a sweeping probe into New York City officials, including top aides to Mayor Eric Adams and senior NYPD leadership.
According to New York Magazine, FBI agents executed search warrants on at least half a dozen city officials last Wednesday, seizing electronic devices as part of two separate influence-peddling investigations.
The raids, conducted by federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York, have sent shockwaves through City Hall and the New York Police Department. While no charges have been filed yet, the investigations have raised serious questions about potential corruption within the Adams administration and the NYPD.
At the center of one investigation is NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who is facing growing calls to step down. The probe reportedly focuses on the department's nightlife enforcement practices, with investigators examining whether Caban's twin brother, James, a former NYPD officer, profited from his connections to the commissioner and the police force.
Sources close to the matter suggest that federal authorities are looking into whether James Caban received payments from bars and clubs to act as a police liaison, and if those establishments subsequently received preferential treatment from local precincts. The investigation is also said to be exploring whether officers were pressured to crack down on clubs that didn't do business with the commissioner's brother.
As pressure mounts, reports indicate that Commissioner Caban is likely to resign in the coming days, although he has dismissed these claims as "false rumors."
The second investigation centers on potential dealings between City Hall and a consulting firm owned by Terence Banks, brother of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, and Schools Chancellor David Banks. Federal prosecutors are reportedly examining allegations of bribery involving Terence Banks' firm, Pearl Alliance, and clients who later secured business contracts with the city government.
Among those targeted in the raids were Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor, and Tim Pearson, a close adviser to Mayor Adams. The involvement of these high-ranking officials has raised concerns about the extent of potential corruption within the administration.
Despite the investigations swirling around his inner circle, Mayor Eric Adams has not been personally implicated in any wrongdoing. In response to the raids, Adams promised to cooperate fully with investigators. Lisa Zornberg, the mayor's chief counsel, stated:
Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation. As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made clear that all members of the team need to follow the law.
For his part, Adams has expressed confidence in his innocence, telling reporters, "I believe the information I turned over will prove I did nothing wrong."
The ongoing investigations have provided fodder for Adams' political opponents as the city looks ahead to the next mayoral race. Scott Stringer, a potential challenger, criticized the mayor's ability to govern effectively amid the growing scandals. Stringer said:
Eric Adams ran on curbing chaos and disorder, yet there is nothing more chaotic than a mayor distracted by his inner circle getting raided by the Feds. You can't clean up this city's problems when your own house is a mess.
Similarly, Comptroller Brad Lander, who has announced his own primary challenge against Adams, questioned the mayor's leadership in light of the federal probes.
It's worth noting that these latest investigations appear to be unrelated to an ongoing federal inquiry into potential links between Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign and Turkey. That separate probe is examining whether the campaign conspired with the Turkish government to direct illegal foreign donations into its coffers. The multiple investigations have cast a shadow over the Adams administration, raising questions about the mayor's judgment in appointing close associates to key positions.
