The FBI executed search warrants and seized the cellphones of the NYPD Commissioner and several other high-ranking officers, according to a report by NY1 on Thursday.
The development comes just hours after federal agents raided the homes of two top aides to New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D): First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Philip Banks, the city's Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.
Sources tell NY1 these investigations into Adams administration officials are separate from the investigation into the mayor's 2021 campaign.
In a statement provided to NY1 after the news on Banks and Wright was revealed, City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg said, “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.”
In a separate statement, the NYPD's deputy commissioner for public information, Tarik Sheppard, said 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 this investigation,” Sheppard said.
In November, the FBI raided the Brooklyn home of Democratic political operative Brianna Suggs, Adams' chief campaign fundraiser, who has been closely linked to his political career. Adams had arrived in Washington for a meeting with the Biden administration to discuss the migrant crisis in New York when news of the raid broke. He abruptly canceled his trip and returned to New York City. An Adams spokesperson declined to comment on whether the FBI's search of Suggs' home influenced his sudden return. (RELATED: Congressman's New York Home Vandalized)
Shortly after the raid on Suggs' home, CBS News reported that FBI agents had approached Adams 48 hours prior, confiscating two phones and an iPad from him on the street. His security detail was asked to step aside as agents executed their search.
Adams' campaign attorney, Boyd Johnson, issued a statement raising questions about improper actions by someone close to the mayor:
“After learning of the federal investigation, it was discovered that an individual had recently acted improperly. In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behavior was immediately and proactively reported to investigators. The Mayor has been and remains committed to cooperating in this matter. On Monday night, the FBI approached the mayor after an event. The Mayor immediately complied with the FBI's request and provided them with electronic devices. The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the investigation.”
At the time, the confiscation of Adams' electronic devices was seen as a significant development in the ongoing investigation into allegations that his 2021 mayoral campaign conspired with the Turkish government. (RELATED: Fmr. Top Aide To Gov. Hochul Charged For Acting As Chinese Foreign Agent)
Federal authorities are investigating whether Adams' campaign received illegal foreign donations from Turkish officials, including the Turkish Consulate in New York. The probe is also looking into whether Adams, who was Brooklyn Borough President at the time, used his influence to expedite permits for the Turkevi Center, a Turkish diplomatic building near the United Nations, despite safety concerns raised by the FDNY.
Investigators are further examining communications between Adams and former Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro regarding the building's approval. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officially opened the Turkevi Center in September 2021.
The broader inquiry focuses on potential campaign finance violations, specifically whether illegal foreign contributions were funneled into Adams' campaign through straw donors.
Adams has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the mayor said, “We are going to follow the rules and comply with any questions that are asked of us.”
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