Feds are searching the homes of the New York Police Commissioner and other high-ranking New York officials, sources say

NEW YORK — The homes of at least four top officials in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, including Police Commissioner Edward Cabana, were searched by federal authorities on Wednesday, sources told CBS News New York.

The NYPD said it is aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office into members of the department, though it did not specify which employees are being investigated. A spokesman said the department is cooperating with the investigation.

CBS News New York sources told CBS News New York that New York Police Department executives are involved in the investigation and have been asked to voluntarily surrender their electronic devices.

The homes of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor Philip Banks were also searched Wednesday morning, with FBI agents also participating.

Wright shares a home with Schools Chancellor David Banks. Philip Banks is David Banks’ brother.

Sources say the cellphones of Wright and Philip Banks were stolen during the raids.

Associated Press Press Agency also reports that federal officers seized electronic devices from the home of Timothy Pearson, a mayoral aide and former high-ranking New York Police Department official.

Mayor Adams Responds to Recent Raids

On Thursday afternoon, Adams spoke with Marcia Kramer of CBS News New York.He appeared composed, calm and collected and urged his employees to obey the law and cooperate with investigations.

“You know, Marcia, I’ve said it time and time again, as a former member of law enforcement, I’m very clear. We follow the rules. We make sure we cooperate and provide any information that’s needed, and to interfere with the review while it’s ongoing would just be inappropriate,” Adams said. “I have no knowledge of any impropriety, and I intend, again, to follow the rules and I will continue to tell the team to do that. And that’s what they’ve been doing, to my knowledge.”

“So why do they keep targeting you and members of your administration? I mean, it’s like constant, drip, drip, drip,” Kramer asked.

“Those are questions I can’t answer. I’m going to… I know what I’m going to do, and that’s the information that’s needed to show that I’ve always followed the law, we’re going to provide that,” Adams said.

Caban canceled a public event on Thursday.

As for Chancellor of Schools David Banks, he was the chairman first day of classes in New York City public schools.

“Today is all about the kids of New York and that’s what we’re going to focus on,” he said.

The investigation is allegedly different from the previous ones

There has been no official reason given for the raids, but sources familiar with the investigation say they are unlikely to be related to an earlier investigation into expensive upgrades to international flights to Turkey, which was being conducted as part of a corruption probe into Adams’ 2021 re-election campaign.

It’s the latest sign of law enforcement interest in Adams’ administration. Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign is under scrutiny for corruption, new summons will be issued in July. Adams himself was summoned for questioning

In 2023 The FBI conducted a search of the home of Brianna Suggs, a fundraiser for Adams at the time.in an investigation that likely involved campaign finance.

Wright is an attorney who has served in the Adams Administration since 2022, initially as First Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives and then as First Deputy Mayor in 2023. She previously served as president and CEO of United Way of New York City and served in the same roles at Abyssinian Development Corporation.

Philip Banks joined the Adams administration as deputy mayor for public safety in 2022. He previously served as chief of department for the NYPD.