A source with knowledge of the case told the news agency that electronic devices were seized from Deputy Mayor Phillip Banks, who is responsible for public safety, and from First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
FBI agents have also searched the house of Timothy Pearson, who previously held a high position in the police in the American city, says the source, who does not want to be named.
Spokespersons for the FBI, New York’s legal authorities and for Mayor Eric Adams have so far not wanted to comment on the case.
Lawyer Benjamin Brafman, who represents Banks, confirms that the client’s residence was searched early Wednesday, but does not wish to give any further comment.
Problems in queue
The searches add to a series of signs of legal trouble for the city government of Adams, a Democrat. He is a former police chief in the city and in his first term as mayor.
In November, Adams’ own phones and an iPad were seized by federal agents, and the residence of one of his main financial contributors was searched.
The mayor has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but confirmed last month that he has received a subpoena from federal prosecutors.
Brother-in-law and cohabitant
Pearson has a number of lawsuits against him in which he is accused of sexually harassing female employees. He is also the subject of a separate investigation into a disturbance at an accommodation facility for homeless migrants. A call to one of his lawyers has so far gone unanswered.
Deputy Mayor Banks has previously been named as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in an investigation into police bribery while Bill de Blasio was mayor of New York. Banks abruptly retired in 2014, but made a political comeback when Adams became mayor eight years later.
Banks’ brother – school principal David Banks – lives with Sheena Wright. It is not immediately clear whether the FBI investigators were also looking for documents linked to David Banks.
#FBI #searches #homes #top #politicians #York
2024-09-07 00:11:12
Table of Contents
- 1 Here is a PAA (People Also Ask) related question for the title “FBI Seizes Phones and Searches Homes of Top NYC Officials, Including Mayor Eric Adams’ Aides”:
- 2 What are the implications of the FBI’s recent search of top NYC officials’ homes on the integrity of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration?
FBI Seizes Phones and Searches Homes of Top NYC Officials, Including Mayor Eric Adams’ Aides
In a shocking turn of events, federal investigators have seized phones and conducted searches at the homes of several top officials in New York City, including Deputy Mayor Phillip Banks and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright [[1]]. The FBI agents also searched the house of Timothy Pearson, a former high-ranking police official in the city [[2]].
According to sources, the searches were carried out as part of an ongoing federal investigation into the city government of Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat and former police chief in his first term as mayor [[3]]. The investigation is reportedly investigating corruption and other wrongdoing within the city government.
The seizure of phones and searches of homes is the latest in a series of legal troubles for the Adams administration. In November, Adams’ own phones and an iPad were seized by federal agents, and the residence of one of his main financial contributors was searched [[1]]. The mayor has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but confirmed last month that he has received a subpoena from federal prosecutors.
Lawyer Benjamin Brafman, who represents Banks, confirmed that the client’s residence was searched early Wednesday, but did not wish to give any further comment [[3]]. Spokespersons for the FBI, New York’s legal authorities, and for Mayor Eric Adams have so far declined to comment on the case.
Pearson, who previously held a high-ranking position in the police department, is also facing separate investigations into allegations of sexual harassment and a disturbance at an accommodation [[3]]. He is facing multiple lawsuits accusing him of sexually harassing female employees.
The searches and seizures are a significant escalation of the federal investigation into the Adams administration, which has been dogged by controversy and corruption allegations. The mayor has maintained his innocence and denied any wrongdoing, but the latest developments are likely to raise further questions about his leadership and the integrity of his administration.
As the investigation continues, the people of New York City will be watching closely to see what other revelations come to light. One thing is certain, however: the seizure of phones and searches of homes is a significant development that will have far-reaching implications for the city government and its leaders.
References:
What are the implications of the FBI’s recent search of top NYC officials’ homes on the integrity of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration?
FBI Seizes Phones and Searches Homes of Top NYC Officials, Including Mayor Eric Adams’ Aides
In a shocking turn of events, federal investigators have seized phones and conducted searches at the homes of several top officials in New York City, including Deputy Mayor Phillip Banks and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright [[1]]. The FBI agents also searched the house of Timothy Pearson, a former high-ranking police official in the city [[2]].
According to sources, the searches were carried out as part of an ongoing federal investigation into the city government of Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat and former police chief in his first term as mayor [[3]]. The investigation is reportedly investigating corruption and other wrongdoing within the city government.
The seizure of phones and searches of homes is the latest in a series of legal troubles for the Adams administration. In November, Adams’ own phones and an iPad were seized by federal agents, and the residence of one of his main financial contributors was searched [[1]]. The mayor has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but confirmed last month that he has received a subpoena from federal prosecutors.
Lawyer Benjamin Brafman, who represents Banks, confirmed that the client’s residence was searched early Wednesday, but did not wish to give any further comment [[3]]. Spokespersons for the FBI, New York’s legal authorities, and for Mayor Eric Adams have so far declined to comment on the case.
Pearson, who previously held a high-ranking position in the police department, is also facing separate investigations into allegations of sexual harassment and a disturbance at an accommodation facility for homeless migrants [[3]]. He is facing multiple lawsuits accusing him of sexually harassing female employees.
The searches and seizures are a significant escalation of the federal investigation into the Adams administration, which has been dogged by controversy and corruption allegations. The mayor has maintained his innocence and denied any wrongdoing, but the latest developments are likely to raise further questions about his leadership and the integrity of his administration.
As the investigation continues, the people of New York City will be watching closely to see what other revelations come to light. One thing is certain, however: the seizure of phones and searches of homes is a significant development that will have far-reaching implications for the city government and its leaders.
References:
[[1]]https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/05/fbi-new-york-city-mayor-eric-adams-00177536
[[2]]https://abc7ny.com/post/fbi-conducts-searches-homes-2-nyc-mayor-eric-adams-top-deputies-nypd-phones-subpoenaed/15273773/
[[3]]https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/newyork/contacts
