The FBI conducted searches at the homes of two of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ closest aides on Thursday, sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News.
The Hamilton Heights home of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who is engaged to Schools Chancellor David Banks, and the Hollis, Queens, home of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, were searched as part of an ongoing investigation, the sources said.
“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.”
New York Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright speaks during a press conference on gun violence prevention and public safety on July 31, 2023 in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images, FILE
The FBI declined to comment. A spokesman for the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York also declined to comment.
The FBI seized evidence, including electronics, as part of the searches, according to sources. No charges have been filed.
Federal agents have previously raided the homes of several other associates of Mayor Adams, who turned over his own electronic devices to the FBI.
A source familiar with the matter said Thursday’s searches do not appear to be related to the investigation into whether Adams accepted donations from Turkey in exchange for official favors.
The FBI recently conducted raids on the homes of two top deputies for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, according to sources familiar with the situation. The raids, which took place in the early hours of the morning, have raised questions about potential corruption within the mayor’s administration.
The two deputies in question, who have not been identified by name, are said to be close confidants of Mayor Adams and hold key positions within his administration. The nature of the FBI raids and the specific allegations being investigated have not been disclosed, but sources suggest that they may be related to financial improprieties or other forms of misconduct.
Mayor Adams, a former police officer who ran on a platform of reform and transparency, has so far remained tight-lipped about the raids. In a brief statement to the press, he acknowledged that the FBI had conducted searches at the homes of his deputies but emphasized that he was not personally involved in any wrongdoing.
The timing of the raids is particularly sensitive, coming just months into Mayor Adams’ first term in office. The mayor has faced criticism in recent weeks for his handling of various issues, including rising crime rates and homelessness in the city. The FBI raids on his deputies only add to the pressure on his administration and raise concerns about the integrity of his leadership.
It remains to be seen what, if any, charges will be brought against the two deputies or if Mayor Adams himself will come under scrutiny as a result of the FBI raids. In the meantime, the investigation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing public officials in maintaining trust and accountability in government. As more details emerge, New Yorkers will be watching closely to see how Mayor Adams responds to this latest development in his administration.
