On Thursday, September 5th, it was revealed that federal authorities conducted raids on the homes of senior officials in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, escalating an ongoing investigation into the mayor’s 2021 campaign. The FBI and the New York City Department of Investigation targeted the Manhattan residence of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright – which she shares with her partner, Schools Chancellor David Banks – the Queens home of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III, and the home of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban on Wednesday, September 4th. The FBI search warrant and raids also included Terence Banks, Phil and David Banks’ brother, and Timothy Pearson, a retired inspector for the NYPD who is a top aide to Mayor Adams. These officials are among Adams’ closest allies, raising the stakes in a probe that has already ensnared several figures in the mayor’s orbit.
The investigation, while still unclear in its full scope, has led to the seizure of electronic devices from Caban, Wright, Pearson, and both Banks brothers. However, officials have indicated that these latest actions are not directly tied to the previous inquiry into the Turkish government’s potential influence on Adams’ campaign. Instead, this may be part of a separate federal investigation run by the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Spokespersons for the FBI and SDNY have declined to comment, fueling speculation about the ongoing probe.
This isn’t the first time Adams and his administration have faced scrutiny. Last year, the FBI seized the mayor’s own electronic devices, including phones and an iPad, as part of an earlier investigation into campaign fundraising. The probe also involved raids on homes connected to individuals such as Brianna Suggs, Adams’ chief fundraiser, and Winnie Greco, a former campaign advisor. Both Suggs and Greco were linked to fundraising efforts that may have involved foreign entities, particularly from Turkey.
City Hall has maintained that Mayor Adams is not a target of any investigation. In a statement, Adams’ Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg said, “Investigators have not indicated to us [that] 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.”
Wright, Banks, and Caban are among the highest-ranking officials in Adams’ administration, and their involvement signals a deepening of the federal investigation. None of the officials have yet to publicly comment, although Wright reportedly expressed confidence in her innocence to close associates. David Banks avoided addressing the raid directly during a public appearance, stating, “Today’s all about the kids,” at a school event.
As the federal probe continues, the investigation may complicate Adams’ re-election campaign in 2025. With the investigation expanding, questions persist about the administration’s ties to foreign influence and campaign finance practices, potentially reshaping the political landscape for the mayor and his allies.
