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FBI searches homes of 2 of Mayor Eric Adams' top aides, NYPD phones subpoenaed
5 days ago
The FBI came to the homes of two of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' closest aides, sources told ABC News, and subpoenaed the cellphones of at least seven people in the NYPD, including one belonging to Commissioner Edward Caban.
The FBI came to the Hamilton Heights home of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and the Hollis, Queens home of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, where agents asked them to surrender their phones, the sources said.
It began Wednesday morning but the news broke on Thursday afternoon. It is likely they both occurred at dawn Wednesday.
The FBI seized evidence, including electronics from Wright, as part of the investigation, according to sources.
Wright shares her Hamilton Heights home with her partner, Schools Chancellor David Banks, who is the brother of Phil Banks.
A third brother, independent consultant Terence Banks, was also probed in some fashion.
No charges have been filed and the investigation continues by the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office in Lower Manhattan.
On Thursday afternoon, Adams insisted he's confident, despite the series of FBI actions reaching deep into his inner circle.
"I'm not aware of any wrongdoing or misgivings from anyone on my team," Adams said "And we're going to continue to cooperate."
Wright and Banks are the highest-ranking Adams administration officials to have their homes searched by federal investigators.
A third City Hall official, Tim Pearson, a close advisor to the mayor, appears to have also had his phone subpoenaed. Additionally, one of Police Commissioner Caban's phones was subpoenaed.
In total, seven people in the NYPD received subpoenas for their phones, which they turned over, an official said. At least four were NYPD executives, the rank of captains or above. At least three others in the NYPD also had their phones subpoenaed.
An NYPD spokesperson released the following statement:
"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. Any questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the U.S. Attorney's Office."
"I think the most important thing that I must do is to send the right message to my team and all the employees in the city, we're going to comply with whatever rules, and we're going to follow the law, and we're going to make sure that whatever information is needed, we're going to turn over that information, and that is what we have been doing since the beginning," Adams said.
Federal officials have previously executed search warrants at the homes of:
Rana Abbasova, the mayor's international affairs aide
Winnie Greco, a special adviser to the mayor and director of Asian affairs
"I wake up every morning with the same feeling, commit yourself to the city, and for the entire years of my life, I follow the rules and procedures," Adams said. "And you know, I'm confident that everything is reviewed. We're going to comply with whatever information that's needed and to make sure that this has come to a completion."
The mayor's chief counsel Lisa Zornberg released a statement saying: "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."
A source familiar with the matter said the searches do not appear to be related to the investigation into whether Adams accepted donations from Turkey in exchange for official favors.
The FBI declined to comment and a spokesman for the US Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.
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