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    Newly married NYC deputy mayor, embattled schools chancellor spotted as questions fly over possible testimony in federal probe

    By Jack Morphet, Craig McCarthy, Steve Janoski,

    8 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4LM7Py_0vqdO86600

    First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright stepped out of her Harlem townhouse bright and early Tuesday morning sporting a sparkly, brand-new diamond infinity ring after her weekend wedding to David Banks, the city’s embattled schools chancellor.

    The longtime lovers’ Martha’s Vineyard nuptials — which took place just one day after their boss, Mayor Eric Adams, appeared in Manhattan federal court to answer sweeping corruption charges — has left some wondering if the couple tied the knot so they could claim “spousal privilege,” or the right not to testify against each other.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2DTpjC_0vqdO86600
    Sheena Wright sported a new diamond infinity ring following her weekend wedding to David Banks, the embattled schools chancellor. Robert Miller

    But Wright ignored The Post’s questions about the wedding’s timing on Tuesday, instead saying “I hope you have a great day” as she strode out to the waiting black SUV parked outside her home.

    Her new spouse left the home several hours later, clutching newspapers and a notebook as he walked out the door.

    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Banks said when asked if the two married for spousal privilege.

    Newlywed Adams officials David Banks, Sheena Wright may not get ‘pillow talk’ privilege in fed probe: experts

    He also said that his wedding was “just great,” and said the public would “hear more about it soon.”

    Banks and Wright have been together for more than a decade, and they said they planned to marry last summer — but never made it to the altar.

    A federal raid on their Harlem home early last month came alongside similar raids on top Adams officials and allies such as former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and Banks’ brother, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks.

    Neither has been accused of a crime, though the feds seized both their phones during their raids.

    Sources have said there may be multiple corruption investigations into Adams’ inner circle, and they may tie into the mayor’s historic federal criminal charges.

    Embattled Adams officials David Banks, Sheena Wright to marry this weekend as federal corruption probe rocks City Hall: sources

    Last week, a grand jury indicted Adams for allegedly taking bribes from Turkish officials and nationals, and defrauding taxpayers out of $10 million in matching campaign finance funds.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3C4qvA_0vqdO86600
    David Banks and Sheen Wright, who tied the knot over the weekend. James Keivom
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3HnEhU_0vqdO86600
    Wright dodged questions about the wedding’s timing on Tuesday. Robert Miller
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Pp2em_0vqdO86600
    Wright ignored the questions as she walked to a black SUV outsider her home. Robert Miller

    The timing of the Wright-Banks wedding has raised questions among legal observers and political insiders alike.

    “Nice ring — but they’ve still gotta sing,” one insider quipped.

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    Legal experts added that if their intent was to avoid testifying in the Adams probe, it might not work out.

    It could even backfire, and open them up to an obstruction of justice charge if the feds found evidence that they tied the knot to avoid the stand, experts said.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Qt5XJ_0vqdO86600
    Adams (center) was indicted for corruption last week. James Keivom

    “Spouses generally have the right to refuse to testify against one another in federal cases, but that privilege disappears when both are co-defendants in the same criminal matter,” said Duncan Levin, a defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor.

    They also couldn’t claim spousal privilege if the feds asked them to talk about communications from before they got married.

    “If this is some grand Machiavellian scheme, it’s very likely to not to work,” he said.

    Experts also said the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office, which is driving several of the investigations, is well-versed in navigating such issues.

    “Generally speaking, the spousal privilege only protects communications within the marriage,” defense attorney Andrew Fleischman posted on X.

    “You can’t just marry everybody you rob a bank with and hope they don’t snitch.”

    For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/

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    Comments / 14
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    Shenice Dawkins- Escoffrey
    3h ago
    “LMAO,” all these assumptions…
    Maria carmela Lucciola
    3h ago
    Only Italian belongs to the Mafia?
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