FBI raids NYC homes of two top Mayor Adams aides, Sheena Wright and Phil Banks
By Craig McCarthy, Larry Celona, Matt Troutman,
2024-09-05
FBI agents raided the homes of two top aides to Mayor Eric Adams — Phil Banks and Sheena Wright — early Wednesday, law enforcement sources confirmed.
The raids — first reported by The City — unfolded simultaneously about 5 a.m. at Wright’s elegant West 143rd Street home in Harlem and Banks’ Queens home, according to the sources.
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment to The Post on Thursday but did not deny that federal agents visited both addresses.
Sheena Wright is first deputy mayor and a longtime ally of Mayor Eric Adams. Robert Miller Schools Chancellor David Banks leaving the house that was raided by federal investigators on Sept. 5, 2024. Banks was not the subject of the raid. James Keivom Sheena Wright and David Banks have been in a longterm relationship and live in the same Harlem home. James Keivom
Banks did not answer any questions from the media about the raid on his partner Sheena Wright. James Keivom
The law enforcement action marks a jaw-dropping escalation in the federal investigations swirling around Adams.
The raids’ precise purpose remained unclear Thursday, but a source with knowledge of the probe said investigators have been trying to flip someone close to Adams, who has not been accused of wrongdoing.
Wright, as the city’s first deputy mayor, is the closest Adams aide to have her home raided by the feds. Banks, a longtime Adams ally, serves as his deputy mayor for public safety.
Adams has now seen federal agents search the properties of five allies, including his top campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs, amid allegations of a kickback scheme involving City Hall and the Turkish government.
A source familiar with the matter told The Post the raids did not appear to be related to the Turkey investigation.
Hizzoner himself has previously been slapped with a grand jury subpoena, as were City Hall officials and his campaign, in July by federal prosecutors digging into his 2021 election fundraising. He also had his electronic devices seized as part of the investigation.
Mayor Eric Adams has seen several top aides fall under federal scrutiny in recent months. Paul Martinka
Adams has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
“Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation,” said City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg, in a 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.”
Wright has been in a longtime relationship with Schools Chancellor David Banks. Getty Images for March On Washin
Representatives for Adams’ campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Wright has been in a longtime relationship with Schools Chancellor David Banks, and they were rumored to have married in secret last year.
Banks is the brother of Phil Banks, who himself was named by the feds as an unindicted co-conspirator in a sweeping federal police corruption case years ago.
David Banks, when spotted Thursday leaving the Harlem home he shares with Wright by The Post, dodged questions about the raid.
Additional reporting by Ben Kochman and Haley Brown
For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/
It’s just a Matter Of Time before any one of these Many Subjects of the FBI Raids Blows the Whistle and Provides Evidence against Adams and his entire team! 🇺🇸👍🇺🇸
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