On Friday, federal agents conducted a search of the residence of NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon, just over a week after his predecessor, Edward Caban, stepped down following an FBI raid at his home.
In a concise statement released by the department late Saturday, Donlon confirmed the search, stating that authorities “took materials that came into my possession 20 years ago and are unrelated to my work with the New York City Police Department.” He also noted that the department would refrain from further comments since it does not pertain to the NYPD.
Donlon, who came out of retirement from a career in federal law enforcement to serve as the city’s police chief, did not clarify which federal agency carried out the search at his home.
Sources informed the Post that investigators are examining whether he improperly retained classified documents from his time with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
According to another source, the federal authorities are signaling to Mayor Eric Adams that “no one is safe,” with multiple members of his administration and inner circle under scrutiny.
“As we have repeatedly said, we expect all team members to fully comply with any law enforcement inquiry,” City Hall spokesperson Fabian Levy stated.
A law enforcement source reiterated to The Post that the feds are sending a message to Mayor Eric Adams that “no one is safe,” given the ongoing investigations involving several individuals in his administration.
Adams appointed Donlon, who is not an NYPD veteran, as New York City’s interim commissioner on September 12, following Caban’s unexpected resignation amid a federal investigation.
Federal agents seized electronic devices from Caban’s residence and those of other city officials in what sources characterized as an extensive corruption investigation related to possible influence peddling.
In his resignation letter, Caban referred to the media uproar surrounding the investigation and a separate inquiry into his twin brother as a “distraction” for the department.
Others in Adams’ close circle also caught up in the federal probe include Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, former NYPD official Tim Pearson, Schools Chancellor David Banks and his brother Terence Banks, as well as First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
On Friday, Molly Schaefer, the city’s head of asylum seeker services, was subpoenaed by federal authorities in connection with the investigation involving Pearson.
A Bronx native, Donlon has an extensive background in law enforcement at various levels, including local, state, federal, and international.
The 57-year-old has held positions such as New York’s director of the Office of Homeland Security and led the FBI’s National Threat Assessment Center and the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Upon accepting the role of interim commissioner, Donlon committed to “uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency, and support our dedicated officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.”
{Matzav.com}