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FBI raids homes of Mayor Adams' top aides as legal problems mount for administration
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Sep 5, 2024
Modified Sep 6, 2024
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Left image: John Lamparski/Getty Images for Concordia Summit. Right Image: Screenshot from an Office of the Mayor livestream.
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Sep 5, 2024
Modified Sep 6, 2024
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Federal agents raided the homes of three of Mayor Eric Adams' top aides on Wednesday, according to an administration official familiar with the matter.
The FBI searched the Manhattan home of the first deputy mayor, Sheena Wright, which she shares with her partner, Schools Chancellor David Banks. Agents also searched the Queens home of the deputy mayor for public safety, Phil Banks.
News outlet The City was first to report the news.
The searches represent federal law enforcement officials' deepest incursion yet into the mayor’s inner circle, a trio close political observers often refer to as “the family.” Phil Banks is one of the mayor’s closest allies, and their relationship dates back to their days in the NYPD. Schools Chancellor David Banks is the deputy mayor’s brother, and is in a relationship with Wright. In a brief statement Friday morning, David Banks said he was cooperating with a federal inquiry but could not comment further.
The purpose of the raids was unclear, although the New York Times reported that sources said that they were unrelated to the ongoing federal investigation of Adams' 2021 campaign. The Manhattan district attorney is also investigating the campaign.
"Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation," the mayor’s chief counsel Lisa Zornberg said 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."
The administration official, who requested anonymity to speak about a legal matter, said City Hall does not believe the Wednesday raids were connected to the campaign finance investigation. The mayor himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Edward Kim, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, declined to comment.
Yvette Johnson, who lives four doors up the street from Phil Banks’ home in Hollis, told Gothamist she was putting her 7-year-old niece on a school bus Wednesday morning when she saw that the street was shut down to traffic.
She said there were several black SUVs, an ambulance and people who appeared to be law enforcement officers in plainclothes.
“I was alarmed, obviously,” Johnson said. “That's my neighbor.” She told Gothamist she was initially concerned that someone had died at the residence.
Members of the New York City Police Department are also under federal investigation, the NYPD confirmed Thursday.
“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 NYPD said in a statement. The department did not specify the ranks of its officers under investigation but said it was cooperating fully with the probe.
The mayor said any questions about the investigations should be directed to the U.S. attorney’s office.
“My message throughout my public life is to follow the law, and that's what we're doing,” Adams said during an interview on FOX 5. “We're going to comply with whatever we have to submit while this review takes place.”
Asked about how he could prove to New Yorkers that the investigation has not been a distraction, Adams pointed to events earlier Thursday morning, when he welcomed children on their first day back to school.
Brigid Bergin and Bahar Ostadan contributed reporting.
Update: This story has been updated to include comment from the mayor, an account from a neighbor of Phil Banks, news of a federal investigation into members of the NYPD and a statement from David Banks.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
Politics
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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