NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Subpoenas have been issued for the cellphones of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and other top police officials, 1010 WINS learned, the same day that news broke FBI agents had descended on the New York City homes of three aides in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration Wednesday morning.
"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," a spokesperson for the NYPD said in a statement to 1010 WINS.
Further questions regarding the investigation were deferred to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
At about 5 a.m. on Wednesday, federal agents arrived at First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright’s Hamilton Heights townhouse and Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Philip Banks III’s single-family Hollis home, 1010 WINS confirmed. Agents also searched the home of Timothy Pearson, a former high-ranking NYPD official who now advises the mayor.
Wright is engaged to David Banks, the brother of Banks III and a fellow public official who serves as the chancellor of NYC Schools. It was not immediately clear whether investigators also sought records related to Banks.
The purpose of the raids is unknown, though the FBI confiscated electronics including laptops and cellphones from both Deputy Mayor Wright and Banks III.
An attorney for Banks III, Benjamin Brafman, confirmed that a search was conducted on his client’s home early Wednesday, but declined to provide more information.
Banks III was previously named by federal prosecutors as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in an investigation into a police bribery scheme during the tenure of former Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration. He abruptly retired in 2014 before returning to city government after Adams took office in 2022.
Pearson, who now serves as a senior advisor for public safety, is currently facing multiple lawsuits for allegedly sexually harassing female employees and is facing a separate investigation for his role in a brawl at a migrant shelter.
"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," City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg told 1010 WINS.
The reason for Wednesday's searches were not immediately known, but a source told 1010 WINS that it does not seem to be related to an FBI public corruption investigation into Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign.
Federal agents are continuing their probe into Adams' campaign and fundraising efforts, which resulted in the seizure of the mayor’s phones and an iPad by federal agents last year during a Manhattan outing. In that investigation, the FBI has been looking into possible collusion between the Adams campaign and the Turkish government, including the exchange of favors and influence for fundraising from the foreign government.
The FBI and United States District Attorney declined to comment on the raids when reached by 1010 WINS.
News of the investigation into Adams’ campaign first broke in November amid a raid on the house of Adams’ former chief fundraiser Brianna Suggs. Months later, federal agents went knocking on the door of the city’s Director of Asian Affairs and prominent Adams fundraiser Winnie Greco.
Last month, it was revealed that grand jury subpoenas were issued to the mayor himself, City Hall and his election committee. According to the New York Times, the subpoenas sought to obtain a range of communications, including text messages and other documents.
Neither Adams nor any of his campaign staff have been accused of wrongdoing, and it is possible the investigations could end without charges being brought against Adams or City Hall staff.
“As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has been clear over that last nine months that he will cooperate with any investigation underway,” Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy said in a statement to 1010 WINS when news of the subpoenas broke. “Nothing has changed.
He expects everyone to cooperate to swiftly bring this investigation to a close.”
The mayor has consistently denied illegality and has committed his full cooperation the investigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.