FBI raids Adams administration officials: Mayor keeps quiet

Federal investigators have seized phones from several officials in the administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was already embroiled in what appears to be a separate criminal investigation, according to NBC.

On September 4, federal agents seized devices from Police Commissioner Adams, his Schools Chancellor, two deputy mayors and several councilors.

None of the officials involved have been charged with a crime. The wave of searches has heightened suspicions around Adams, a former city police captain.

On the subject: Adams presented official garbage containers in New York: black bags on the sidewalk will be fined

The investigations have raised internal questions about the administration's ability to focus on serving the nation's largest city.

Seizure of phones and searches

In a private meeting with senior staff on Sept. 6, Zach Iscol, Emergency Management Commissioner, gave a stark assessment of the impact of the investigations on public safety.

“This is not good,” he said, according to a recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press. “There’s a lot going on in the city. What worries me most is that the city’s leadership is distracted.”

The agency is responsible for the city's emergency procedures. It falls under the authority of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks. Law enforcement officials visited his home on Sept. 4. Iscol said he had not spoken to City Hall officials as of the morning of Sept. 6. The FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment. It was unclear whether federal authorities were seeking information related to one or more investigations.

Additionally, federal agents on September 4 seized devices from Police Commissioner Edward Cabana, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Banks' brother, David Banks, Schools Chancellor, and Timothy Pearson, a top adviser to the mayor and a former high-ranking NYPD official.

"There is a smell of corruption around the mayor"

A year ago, federal agents seized phones and iPads Adamsas he left an event in Manhattan. Investigators also searched the homes of Adams' top campaign fundraiser and a member of his administration's international affairs staff.

In February, federal authorities raided two properties owned by his Asia director in a separate investigation overseen by the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn.

Earlier this summer, Adams, his campaign and the mayor's office received subpoenas from federal prosecutors seeking information about the mayor's foreign travel and possible ties to the Turkish government.

The latest round of searches does not appear to be related to the investigations in Turkey and federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, according to two people familiar with the matter.

"There's a stench of corruption around the mayor," said Douglas Muzzio, a retired political science professor at Baruch College.

Federal investigators appear to have been looking into Adams' inner circle since this winter.

John Skoll, a lawyer representing four city employees who have accused Pearson of sexual harassment, said three of his clients received subpoenas in February from FBI agents seeking information about Pearson and his dealings with City Hall.

Pearson had previously worked with Phil Banks before being appointed to lead the mayor's new unit tasked with overseeing city agencies.

Those who worked with Pearson said he had an unusual set of responsibilities. Oh had broad discretion over promotions, pandemic recovery efforts and some migrant homeless shelters. He is currently under separate city investigation for his role in a brawl at one of those shelters.

Throughout the FBI's involvement, Adams insisted that he had followed the law and would continue to focus on his duties as mayor.

Fabien Levy, his spokesman, said nothing would prevent the administration from carrying out its duties.

On September 4, the mayor personally visited the emergency tunnel, held a public event to mark the first day of school, and met with residents concerned about e-bikes. On September 6, he held his regularly scheduled meeting at 8:00 a.m., after which he met with the mayor of Lisbon.