NYPD Commissioner Anticipated to Resign Amid Federal Criminal Investigation

New York Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban is expected to resign in the coming days as he becomes entangled in a federal corruption investigation. The probe, spearheaded by the Southern District of New York, has already led to the execution of search warrants targeting multiple city officials, including Caban himself, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The FBI's investigation is part of a larger effort to root out government corruption, with a focus on New York City officials. Caban, who has served as NYPD Commissioner since July, reportedly had his phone seized during the investigation, which also involved the search of his home and those of other high-ranking city officials.

Key figures caught in the probe include Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, and Schools Chancellor David Banks. Federal agents also seized phones belonging to Timothy Pearson, a senior adviser to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and Terence Banks, a consultant and brother of Philip and David Banks.

The investigation centers on a nightclub security business owned by Caban’s twin brother, James Caban, and is reportedly widening to include other police officials. This probe is only one of several ongoing federal investigations plaguing the Adams administration.

Earlier this year, the Eastern District of New York conducted a raid on the home of Winnie Greco, Adams’ director of Asian Affairs, as part of a separate corruption probe. Adams' former buildings commissioner, Eric Ulrich, is also facing bribery charges, while some of Adams' campaign donors have been caught up in a straw-donor scheme.

The situation has added fuel to calls for Caban’s resignation, with NYC Mayor Eric Adams reportedly seeking to distance his administration from the embattled commissioner. According to a report from The New York Times, Adams, himself under federal investigation related to dealings with the Turkish government, is feeling the pressure as the number of criminal probes surrounding his administration grows.

Amid the swirling controversy, Adams offered vague support for Caban, stating, “I have the utmost confidence in the New York City Police Department. ... When I chose Eddie, I chose him for his experience and what he brought after 30-something years of service.” Still, with federal investigators circling and the spotlight on city corruption, Caban’s days as NYPD Commissioner seem numbered.

As the investigation deepens, questions continue to rise about the extent of corruption within New York City’s leadership. With multiple probes now touching the mayor’s office, the fallout from these investigations could continue to rock the city's political landscape for months to come.

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