Federal agents executed raids targeting NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and several high-ranking members of the nation’s largest police force, sources reported Thursday. This comes as part of a series of surprising law enforcement actions also involving close allies of Mayor Eric Adams.
On Wednesday morning, agents arrived at the residences of Caban, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, and the shared townhouse of Schools Chancellor David Banks and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. They carried search warrants and confiscated electronic devices, law enforcement sources revealed.
Additionally, sources stated that the actions included Terence Banks, a former MTA official who has moved into consulting and is the brother of Phil and David Banks.
Another key figure in Mayor Adams’ circle, retired NYPD inspector Timothy Pearson, was also affected by the investigation, with his phones being subpoenaed, according to sources.
At this time, it remains unclear if the raid on the Harlem home shared by David Banks and Sheena Wright was directed at one or both of them.
The connections between the various raids, subpoenas, and other investigative actions aimed at Caban, members of the NYPD, and City Hall remained ambiguous on Thursday. However, sources suggested that these individuals might be part of a broader corruption probe centered on influence peddling.
James Caban, Edward Caban’s twin brother and a former NYPD sergeant, was also served with a search warrant and subpoena. Investigators are reportedly examining his involvement in the nightlife enforcement sector, sources said.
Additional law enforcement officials under scrutiny include NYPD Chief of Staff Raul Pintos and two precinct commanders from Manhattan and Queens, both of whom were asked to surrender their phones.
Sources noted that the investigation extends to rank-and-file officers from precincts, particularly in Midtown South, which is known for its active nightlife scene. None of those involved have been formally accused of any crimes as of yet.
This wide-reaching probe is being overseen by federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York. The same office is also examining Adams’ 2021 campaign as part of another high-profile investigation.
Mayor Adams addressed the raids publicly for the first time on Thursday afternoon as he left City Hall.
“As you’ve heard me say over and over again, as a former law enforcement person, we will always follow the law, and that is what this administration always stood for and will continue to stand for,” Adams said. “Whatever information is needed, we will turn over.”
City Hall’s Chief Counsel, Lisa Zornberg, suggested in a subsequent statement that the mayor and his team might not be the primary targets of the investigation.
“Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation,” Zornberg said in the 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.”
An NYPD spokesperson also confirmed that the investigation is focused on police officials and noted that the department is fully cooperating with federal authorities.
“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,” the spokesperson said Thursday, directing further questions to federal prosecutors.
Commissioner Caban, who was appointed in July 2023 after former Commissioner Keechant Sewell’s unexpected resignation, could not be reached for comment. His close relationship with the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office, now involved in probing him and his officers, adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation.
Attempts by The Post to reach Chief of Patrol John Chell for comment were met with strong resistance. NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Public Information Tarik Sheppard, in a conversation with a reporter, labeled the reporter a “f—ing scumbag.”
Investigators are reportedly looking into Terence Banks for allegedly acting as an unregistered lobbyist, leveraging his connections with his brothers to bring business into City Hall, sources suggested.
Pearson, another key figure in Adams’ administration, has faced criticism in the past. He was recently the subject of a sexual harassment lawsuit and has long attracted attention for his role in overseeing contracts for security at migrant shelters.
The simultaneous raids targeting the homes of Wright and Phil Banks occurred around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, as first reported by The City. Wright’s home is located on West 143rd Street in Harlem, while Phil Banks resides in Queens.
While the FBI declined to provide further details on Thursday, they did not refute the fact that both homes were visited by federal agents.
Benjamin Brafman, Phil Banks’ attorney, confirmed the search of Banks’ home but chose not to comment further. Phil Banks had previously been named an unindicted co-conspirator in a broader police corruption case that resulted in the discovery of $300,000 in questionable transactions in his accounts.
Wright, a former CEO of United Way of NYC, has been a visible figure in the Adams administration since she was appointed as First Deputy Mayor in 2022. She has played a critical role in overseeing the NYPD as part of her responsibilities.
Rumors have circulated about Wright and David Banks’ personal relationship, including claims that the couple may have secretly married last year.
When David Banks was seen leaving the couple’s Harlem home on Thursday, he avoided addressing questions from The Post about the raid. He appeared visibly annoyed when approached later by a FOX 5 reporter and offered only a brief statement.
“Today is the first day of school, it is all about the kids, if there’s any other comments to be made it will be tomorrow,” he said.
These latest raids follow a string of actions targeting Adams’ inner circle. Federal agents have now sought information on at least eight of his top aides, beginning with a raid on his fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, in November 2023. That investigation focused on a kickback scheme allegedly involving City Hall and the Turkish government.
Additional raids followed, targeting City Hall staffers like Rana Abbasova and Cenk Ocal, both connected to Adams’ transition team and the Turkey investigation.
Earlier in 2024, the FBI raided the home of Winnie Greco, who had served as the city’s director of Asian affairs, in connection with another fundraising investigation.
The mayor himself has not been immune from scrutiny. He was issued a grand jury subpoena in July 2024, along with other City Hall officials, as part of an ongoing probe into his 2021 campaign fundraising. Federal agents also seized his electronic devices during the investigation.
Despite the mounting legal challenges, Adams has consistently maintained his innocence and denied any involvement in illegal activities.
{Matzav.com}