The FBI has been quite busy in New York this week. First came news that Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D), had been indicted on charges of violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy.
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Now, we learn of multiple raids conducted by the FBI on Wednesday at the homes of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ top aides, as well as that of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban:
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban’s home was raided by FBI agents in a stunning early Wednesday sweep that targeted a suite of Mayor Eric Adams’ top aides, sources said.
The raid on Caban unfolded as agents stormed the homes of deputy mayors Phil Banks and Sheena Wright, according to law-enforcement sources.
Another top Adams aide – Timothy Pearson – had his phones subpoenaed, according to the sources.
Phil Banks’ brother Terence Banks, a former MTA official and current lobbyist, was also targeted in the actions, sources said.
Readers may recall that the home of another close Adams associate was raided in November 2023. As RedState reported at the time:
FBI agents on Thursday raided the Brooklyn, New York home of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ fundraising chief, Brianna Suggs, as they investigate whether Adams’ 2021 election campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations.
The mayor, who was on his way to Washington, D.C., at the time to speak with White House officials and members of Congress about the disastrous border crisis, immediately turned around and headed back to the Big Apple.
In April, we learned a bit more about that investigation:
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing another legal matter that could cast even more of a negative light on his administration. Federal investigators are looking into complimentary flight upgrades he received from Turkish Airlines.
The investigation aims to ascertain whether corruption was involved in Adams’ relationship with the airline and other elements in Turkey.
The scrutiny is part of a broad corruption inquiry that has already led the F.B.I. to search the homes of the former top New York-based executive of Turkish Airlines and aides to Mr. Adams, who has frequently traveled abroad and has made no secret of his affinity for flying on the Turkish carrier.
The investigation burst into public view in November after F.B.I. agents searched the homes of the former airline executive, Cenk Öcal, the mayor’s liaison to the Turkish community, Rana Abbasova, and his chief fund-raiser, Brianna Suggs — and seized Mr. Adams’s electronic devices.
The inquiry has shaken an administration that has become increasingly mired in investigations and beset by legal and ethical problems.
Wednesday’s raids are not thought to be related to the investigation into Adams’ Turkish campaign dealings.
The NYPD issued the following statement on 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 Department is fully cooperating in the investigation.”
For those attempting to keep score:
Adams has now seen federal agents search the properties of five allies, including his top campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs, amid allegations of a kickback scheme involving City Hall and the Turkish government.
Hizzoner himself has previously been slapped with a grand jury subpoena, as were City Hall officials and his campaign, in July by federal prosecutors digging into his 2021 election fundraising. He also had his electronic devices seized as part of the investigation.
That’s a lot of heat directed at some top brass.
Update – 4:30 p.m. Eastern:
Asked about the raids, Mayor Adams had this to say:
Mayor Eric Adams doesn’t say much on the new FBI probe into top aides. “As a former law enforcement person, the goal is to follow the law. … Whatever information that’s needed, we’re going to turn it over, and I’m going to continue to be the mayor of the City of New York…” pic.twitter.com/kkcASlSkfA
— Jeff Coltin (@JCColtin) September 5, 2024
“As a former law enforcement person, the goal is to follow the law. And that is what this administration has always stood for, and what we’re going to continue to stand for. Whatever information that’s needed, we’re going to turn it over, and I’m going to continue to be the mayor of the City of New York — the greatest city on the globe.”
This is a developing story. RedState will provide further details as they become available.
