Adams sidesteps questions about police commissioner amid federal probe

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams repeatedly declined Tuesday to express confidence in his police commissioner, whose home was raided by federal agents last week as part of an investigation that has roiled the upper ranks of the administration.

Instead, the mayor sidestepped direct questions about Edward Caban’s ability to perform atop the nation’s largest police force by commending the NYPD itself.

“I have the utmost confidence in the New York City Police Department,” Adams told reporters as part of his weekly news conference, referencing the agency where he spent two decades, retiring as a captain in 2006.

Caban is expected to resign his post soon, as POLITICO first reported , though Adams denied Tuesday that he was behind the pressure campaign to push Caban out.

Nevertheless, the mayor met Monday morning with his police commissioner to discuss the possibility of him stepping down, according to a person familiar with the matter who was granted anonymity to speak freely. Caban had planned to then meet with NYPD brass but did not attend that sitdown, two people said.

The commissioner was also a no-show at a 9/11-related event Monday in downtown Manhattan, three people said. Caban did, however, attend a security briefing at police headquarters Monday ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, giving brief prepared remarks to community leaders before exiting the auditorium out a side door.

Caban is resisting pressure to step down, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

The police commissioner is far from the only top Adams administration official ensnared in multiple federal inquiries: The mayor’s first deputy mayor, his schools chancellor, his deputy mayor for public safety, a senior adviser with NYPD ties and others have been searched or subpoenaed, according to reports by POLITICO and other outlets.

Adams’ fielding of questions virtually Tuesday from Gracie Mansion — the mayoral residence in Manhattan where he is quarantining after saying he tested positive for COVID — only added to the unfolding chaos.

The mayor insisted — with the remote connection unstable at some points in the lengthy news conference — that he has done nothing wrong, is cooperating with law enforcement officials and is working hard for New Yorkers, whom he directly addressed at the top of his remarks Tuesday.

“The job I have as your mayor is the only one I’ve ever wanted,” he said. “Serving you is an honor. It is also a responsibility. I want to assure you that I feel the awesome weight of that responsibility with my whole heart and I would never do anything to betray your trust.”

Adams then added, “I was surprised as you to learn of these inquiries, and I take them extremely seriously.”

He and City Hall attorney Lisa Zornberg shed little light on the nature and scope of the federal probes and their impact on the NYPD, referring some questions to police and others to the feds.

Adams’ first deputy mayor, Sheena Wright, whose home was also raided last week, shared a message similar to the mayor’s at the news conference before declining to go into further detail.

“I remain committed to serving New Yorkers each and every day,” she said. “I’m confident that I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Adams is not expected to attend the 9/11 ceremony Wednesday morning at Ground Zero as he will still be quarantining with COVID.

He said Tuesday that his symptoms include a tickle in his throat and a slight runny nose.

Jeff Coltin contributed to this report.