Homes of NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Senior Aides Raided by Federal Agents

Federal law enforcement officials executed raids on several top aides to New York City Democrat Mayor Eric Adams this week, signaling a new criminal investigation that appears unrelated to the ongoing federal corruption probe into Adams’ alleged ties with the Turkish government.

Among those targeted were high-profile members of Adams' inner circle, including Philip Banks, the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety; Sheena Wright, First Deputy Mayor; and Schools Chancellor David Banks. The FBI raided their homes, as well as those of Police Commissioner Edward Caban and senior adviser Timothy Pearson. The homes of Terence Banks, a consultant and brother to Philip and David Banks, were also searched.

While federal authorities have not publicly linked the mayor or his staff to the new investigation, this latest development adds to the mounting scrutiny surrounding Adams. City Hall lawyer Lisa Zornberg stressed that “investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation.”

Key Details of the Investigation:

• The Southern District of New York, renowned for tackling corruption cases, is leading the investigation into Adams’ team.

• The raids come just weeks after Adams himself was drawn into a separate corruption probe involving his campaign's potential illegal ties to the Turkish government.

• FBI agents have seized the phones of top officials, raising concerns about further revelations in the ongoing investigations.

This is not the first time Mayor Adams has found himself in legal hot water. The investigation into his campaign’s alleged illegal contributions from the Turkish government has already focused on questionable perks, like upgrades on Turkish Airlines flights and his intervention in a fire safety dispute over the Turkish Consulate building in Manhattan. The $300 million skyscraper project, which raised alarms over safety, was allowed to open following Adams’ reported pressure on fire officials—clearing the way for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the ribbon-cutting.

These investigations pose a serious challenge for Mayor Adams, whose administration now faces intensified scrutiny from federal prosecutors on multiple fronts. As more details emerge, it remains to be seen how much deeper the probes will go—and how much more damage it could cause to his already embattled administration.

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