In a dramatic development, FBI agents simultaneously raided the homes of two high-ranking aides to New York City Mayor Eric Adams early Wednesday morning.
The New York Post first reported on the raids targeting First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks.
The pre-dawn raids occurred around 5 a.m. on September 5, 2024, with federal agents descending on Wright's West 143rd Street residence in Harlem and Banks' home in Queens.
While the FBI declined to comment on the specific reasons for the searches, the action has sent shockwaves through City Hall and raised new questions about potential wrongdoing within Mayor Adams' inner circle.
Wright, as first deputy mayor, is the highest-ranking Adams aide to have her home searched by federal authorities. Banks, a longtime ally of the mayor, oversees public safety matters for the administration. The simultaneous raids on two such senior officials suggest a widening scope of federal scrutiny.
This latest development comes amid ongoing federal probes into Mayor Adams' 2021 campaign fundraising practices and allegations of a kickback scheme involving City Hall and the Turkish government. While Adams himself has not been accused of wrongdoing, the expanding investigations have now ensnared at least five of his close associates.
In July, federal prosecutors issued subpoenas to Adams, City Hall officials, and his campaign team as part of their inquiry into 2021 election fundraising. The mayor's electronic devices were also seized during that phase of the investigation.
A source familiar with the matter indicated that Wednesday's raids do not appear to be directly related to the ongoing Turkey investigation. However, the exact focus of this latest federal action remains unclear.
City Hall has attempted to distance the mayor from the unfolding situation. Lisa Zornberg, City Hall Chief Counsel, released a statement addressing the raids:
Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation. As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made clear that all members of the team need to follow the law.
Despite these assurances, the raids have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the Adams administration and raised questions about the extent of potential impropriety within the mayor's inner circle.
The federal action has also brought renewed attention to the personal relationships and past controversies surrounding some of Mayor Adams' top appointees. Sheena Wright, whose home was raided, has been in a long-term relationship with Schools Chancellor David Banks. David Banks is the brother of Phil Banks, the other target of Wednesday's raids.
Phil Banks has previously been named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a separate federal police corruption case years ago, adding another layer of complexity to the current situation. The interconnected nature of these relationships has raised eyebrows and prompted questions about potential conflicts of interest within the administration.
The FBI raids on two of Mayor Eric Adams' closest aides represent a significant escalation in the federal investigations surrounding his administration. While the specific focus of these searches remains unclear, they have undoubtedly sent shockwaves through City Hall and raised serious questions about potential wrongdoing at the highest levels of the New York City government. The coming weeks and months will likely prove crucial in determining the full extent of any alleged impropriety and its potential impact on the mayor's ability to govern effectively.
