What we know about the investigation into the New York mayor

NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly a year after FBI agents confiscated his phonesNew York Mayor Eric Adams is facing a growing number of federal investigations into his administration.

The investigations of the last few weeks have shown Drumbeat of summonsRaids and developments that sent the Democrat into a tailspin in his first term. Federal investigators have visited more than a dozen members of his administration and seized devices belonging to the police chief (who then resigned), the superintendent of public schools and other trusted confidants both in City Hall and outside.

At least one of the mayor's senior staff members received a subpoena to testify before a grand jury.

Federal prosecutors have declined to comment on the investigation, but people familiar with elements of the cases have reported several independent investigations involving high-ranking Adams associates and their relatives, campaign fundraising and possible interference with police and fire departments.

Adams, a former police captain, has not been charged with wrongdoing and vehemently denies any knowledge of criminal activity.

Here’s a look at what we know about the investigations:

A nightlife business run by the top cop's twin

On the morning of September 4, federal agents fanned out across New York City to seize devices from some of the mayor's closest advisers. They also traveled to Rockland County, about an hour north of the city, where they visited the home of then-NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and the nearby home of his twin brother, James Caban. Devices were seized from both homes.

James Caban was also a former police officer, but was fired from the NYPD in 2001 after he was heard on recording threatening a taxi driver. More recently, he runs a nightlife consulting business.

After the raids came to light, the owner of a Brooklyn juice bar publicly accused mayoral adviser Ray Martin of trying to blackmail him, claiming he would receive better treatment from the police if he hired James Caban as a consultant. As part of the investigation, police seized the phones of several NYPD officers at the precinct level.

A week after the raids, Caban announced his resignation, telling officials he did not want to create “a distraction” with the investigation. That same day, Martin was fired from his job at City Hall.

James Caban “unequivocally denies any wrongdoing,” his attorney Sean Hecker said in a statement. An email to Martin was not returned. An attorney for Edward Caban did not respond to phone or email messages.

The Banks brothers and a consulting firm

After taking office in 2022, Adams turned to two brothers to oversee two of the city's most important institutions: the public schools and the police department. He made Philip Banks, a former chief of the NYPD, his deputy mayor for public safety. He made David Banks, who had led a network of boys' schools, schools chancellor.

The same day they showed up at the Caban brothers' homes, federal investigators seized devices from Philip and David Banks, as well as First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, David Banks' partner.

The agents also confiscated a phone from Terence Banks, the Banks' youngest brother.

Terence Banks, a former mid-level supervisor in the New York City subway system, founded a consulting firm that promised to connect companies with key government officials. The firm represented companies seeking work with city agencies, including the Department of Education and the Police Department.

According to public records, some of these companies received city contracts worth millions of dollars – and in one case a personal meeting with the school chancellor — after hiring Terrence Banks.

Both David and Terence Banks have said they do not believe they are the subject of the investigation. A lawyer for Philip Banks, Benjamin Brafman, told reporters that he believes his client has “no criminal liability.”

David Banks and Philip Banks remain in their posts. Adams has defended them, pointing out that his relationship with the family dates back to his time serving in the police force under their father.

A consultant with control over contracts

Tim Pearson is an influential figure with little public presence and one of the mayor's most trusted advisers. Despite facing multiple sexual harassment lawsuits and a city investigation into his role in a brawl at a migrant shelter, Pearson has retained the support of the mayor, with whom he worked on the police force decades ago.

Pearson's electronic devices were also seized by federal authorities earlier this month. It's not clear what aspect of his work might be under scrutiny. In addition to his wide-ranging duties, Pearson played a key role in approving contracts for the city's migrant shelters.

Last Friday, the city's asylum-seeker department director, Molly Schaeffer, who worked closely with Pearson, received a subpoena to testify before a grand jury. Unlike other employees, her devices were not seized by federal agents.

Jennifer Beidel, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan, said a subpoena to testify usually means an investigation has progressed far enough for prosecutors to present evidence to the grand jury that it needs to decide whether to bring charges.

An attorney representing Pearson in the civil cases did not respond to a request for comment. Pearson has not spoken publicly since the searches.

A mayor under the microscope

The first signs that federal authorities were investigating people close to Adams came in early November last year, when agents searched the home of one of his top fundraisers, Brianna Suggs.

Then, on November 6, Adams was personally stopped by FBI agents as he left an event in Manhattan and his cell phones and iPad were confiscated.

Agents also searched the home of Adams' liaison with the Turkish community in New York and a former Turkish airline executive.

As part of that investigation, federal prosecutors have sought information about a period when Adams was still Brooklyn borough president but had won the Democratic primary and was widely expected to be elected mayor in the fall. During that time, Turkish officials tried to get the city to expedite fire department approval of a new diplomatic building that had been held up on security grounds.

In the summer, federal prosecutors summoned Adams, his campaign team and City Hall requested information about the mayor's schedule, his foreign travel and possible ties to the Turkish government.

Adams has denied any wrongdoing. The mayor's private lawyers said they have presented “extensive evidence undermining federal prosecutors' alleged theories about the mayor.”

Other inquiries

Federal prosecutors are also investigating Winnie Greco, the city's director of Asian affairs and a longtime Adams ally. Unlike the other investigations, this one is being led by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn.

In addition, federal prosecutors last week subpoenaed a Brooklyn church seeking information about possible dealings between a priest and Frank Carone, Adams' former chief of staff who now runs his own lobbying firm.

Greco has not commented publicly on the FBI's searches of her property and continues to work for the city. Carone has told reporters he is unaware of any criminal investigations against him.

Two high-ranking fire chiefs have been arrested on charges of demanding tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from people who requested preferential treatment from the fire department's safety inspection office. Both have pleaded not guilty.

And on Friday, federal authorities searched the homes of the newly appointed interim New York City Police Chief, Thomas Donlan, and confiscated materials that have nothing to do with his police workDonlon confirmed the search and said the materials had been in his possession for 20 years.

He did not elaborate on what the investigation was about, but a person familiar with the probe said it involved classified documents from the years when Donlon worked for the FBI. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.