The Key People Caught Up in the Eric Adams Investigations

The foreign-influence probe Three agencies — the Southern District of New York , the FBI, and the New York City Department of Investigation — are probing whether Eric Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign conspired with people linked to Turkey to direct illegal foreign donations to the campaign. Last November, federal agents executed search warrants on the homes of two of Adams's aides, including his chief fundraiser, as well as the home of a former Turkish Airlines official. They later seized the mayor's digital devices. More recently, federal prosecutors have also reportedly requested information about Adams's interactions with China, Israel, Qatar, South Korea, and Uzbekistan — though it's not clear why.

Rana Abbasova Abbasova is the director of protocol for the Mayor's Office for International Affairs, though she has been on leave since last November, when federal agents raided her Fort Lee, New Jersey, home. At City Hall, she organized meetings and events with foreign dignitaries, and before that acted as a liaison between Adams and the city's Turkish community when he was Brooklyn borough president. Abbasova has not been accused of any wrongdoing, and is reportedly cooperating with federal investigators.

Eric Adams Shortly after federal investigators conducted raids on two of his aides in November of last year, Adams himself was stopped by the FBI and was asked to turn over his electronic devices , which were later returned. The mayor has repeatedly maintained that he has done nothing wrong and said that he will continue to cooperate with the investigations. Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing thus far.

Edward Caban Edward Caban began his policing career in 1991 patrolling the South Bronx and rose through the ranks, becoming first deputy commissioner in 2022. In 2023, Adams selected Caban to be his next NYPD commissioner, the first Latino to serve in the role in the department's history.

On September 4, federal agents seized the devices of the commissioner, his twin brother, James; his chief of staff, Raul Pintos; as well as some NYPD precinct commanders. Caban resigned on September 12, following widespread pressure for him to step down. According to Caban's lawyers, prosecutors have told him he is not a target of their investigation.

James Caban James Caban is the twin brother of the now-former NYPD commissioner Edward Caban . He owns a nightclub-security business, and investigators are reportedly looking into whether he profited off his ties to the department and was able to arrange special treatment from police for his clients. James's devices were also seized by federal agents on September 4. Thus far, he has not been charged by prosecutors.

In 2001, James was ousted from the NYPD after he wrongfully detained a cab driver and threatened to impound his vehicle, after he accused the driver of stealing money from his wife's purse. Caban was also once sentenced to 30-days in jail after he failed to make mandated repairs to an apartment building that he owned in the Bronx.

The City Hall bribery probe Federal prosecutors are said to be looking into a potential bribery scheme involving the brother of two top City Hall employees. Investigators are reportedly scrutinizing Terence Banks's consulting firm as well as its clients. Banks is the brother of deputy mayor Phil Banks and schools chancellor David Banks. Here are the key people who have been scrutinized thus far.

Terence Banks Terence Banks is a former supervisor for the Metropolitan Transit Authority. He later started a consulting firm named The Pearl Alliance, which the Daily News reports was formed while Banks was still at the MTA. Per the outlet , neither Banks nor the firm's employees were registered as a lobbyist despite having clients who did business with the city government. The firm's website has been wiped following the federal searches. He has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing.

Phil Banks Philip Banks III was appointed the deputy mayor for public safety by Mayor Adams in 2022. In early September, federal agents seized his phone. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Banks has a long history in law enforcement, joining the NYPD in 1986 and later being appointed to chief of department, the highest ranking uniformed position, in 2013. But just after it was made public that Banks was to be named first deputy commissioner, he abruptly quit the force . Not long after, Banks was named as an un-indicted co-conspirator in a police corruption investigation that led to several convictions including former corrections union head Norman Seabrook. Despite being named in the scheme, Banks has maintained his innocence.

David Banks David Banks, the brother of Terence and Phil, was selected to become the chancellor of the city's public school system in early 2022. He also had his devices seized by federal agents in early September, but has not been accused of any wrongdoing. A longtime educator, Banks founded the Eagle Academy Schools for Young Men, a group of public schools located in the city's five boroughs and New Jersey that serve male students of color. Banks is engaged to Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor.

Sheena Wright Wright has been part of the Adams administration since its earliest days with the mayor selecting her to serve as the deputy mayor for strategic operations in 2021. She would later be tapped to become first deputy mayor that following year. Previously, Wright was the president and CEO of United Way of New York City, the first woman to hold that position. She is engaged to David Banks. Wright also had her devices seized after agents conducted a search on her and Banks's shared home. She has not been accused of wrongdoing.

Tim Pearson As part of its searches in early September, the federal government also seized electronic devices from Pearson, a top aide in City Hall. Pearson is a retired NYPD inspector who has known Adams for decades. He currently draws one of the largest salaries in City Hall under the title of senior adviser for public safety and COVID recovery. Pearson is embroiled in a fair amount of recent controversy, facing multiple lawsuits from former subordinates who allege sexual harassment and instances of retaliation against him. He has been responsible for handing out city contracts related to migrant shelters, and has been under investigation from the city following an altercation with security staff at one of the shelters.

Winnie Greco Since 2022, Greco has worked as City Hall's director of Asian affairs and also serves as a special adviser to Adams. In March, the FBI conducted a search on two Bronx residences owned by Greco, reportedly removing devices and files from the homes. Agents also conducted an additional raid on the New World Mall in Queens, the site of several fundraisers that Greco organized on Adams's behalf. Greco briefly took paid sick leave following the raid of her properties, but later returned to work for the administration.