FBI raids homes of top aides for New York City Mayor Eric Adams

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NYC Mayor Eric Adams said he supports banning masks at protests and on subways, saying cowards cover their faces. (Credit: NYC Mayor's Office)

The FBI on Wednesday raided the homes of at least three high-ranking members of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration, Fox News Digital has confirmed. 

FBI agents showed up to the homes of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III early Wednesday and seized electronic devices. 

New York Mayor Eric Adams holds a news conference with members of his staff at City Hall July 30, 2024, in New York City.  (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Agents also searched the home of Timothy Pearson, a former high-ranking official in the New York Police Department who now advises the mayor on public safety.

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III during a briefing at City Hall.  (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor's office and the New York City Law Department for comment but did not immediately hear back.

The FBI's New York City field office declined to comment on the raid when reached by Fox News Digital. 

First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, NYC Council Member Gale Brewer, Khary Lazarre-White and District Attorney Alvin Bragg attend the 19th Annual Voices Gala at The Ziegfeld Ballroom May 9, 2024 in New York City.  (Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

The FBI also conducted a raid on the home of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, according to the New York Post. 

The NYPD told Fox News Digital it "is aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York involving members of service. The Department is fully cooperating in the investigation. Any questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office."

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City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg told Fox News Digital in a statement: "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."

Appearing on FOX 5 NYC Thursday, Adams was asked about the FBI raids. 

"I have been clear that my message throughout my public life is to follow the law and that's what we're doing," Adams said. "And we're going to comply with whatever inquiry and whatever we have to submit."

The Democratic mayor said the raids will not necessarily lead to indictments.

"Two different options here, either … where there's smoke, there's fire and indictments are going to follow -- or two, this is totally baseless and the criminal justice system is being weaponized against you," Adams said. "I would love to engage in a good conversation around this, but just be irresponsible for me, you know, as a former law enforcement person. I know, allow the reviews to take their course and that is what I'm doing,"

The searches marked the latest sign of legal trouble in Adams' administration. Adams is a first-term Democrat and former New York City police captain. He took office in 2022 after serving as Brooklyn's borough president and as a state senator.

Mayor Eric Adams, right, is flanked by deputy mayor Sheena Wright, left, during a press conference at City Hall in New York, Dec. 12, 2023.  (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

In November, federal agents seized the mayor’s phones and iPad as he was leaving an event in Manhattan and raided the home of one of his top fundraisers. While Adams has denied any wrongdoing, he confirmed last month that he had received a subpoena from federal prosecutors and said he and his team are cooperating. 

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Pearson is currently facing multiple lawsuits accusing him of sexually harassing female employees, and he is facing a separate investigation for his role in a brawl at a shelter for homeless migrants. A lawyer representing Pearson in the harassment suit did not immediately respond to a phone call.

New York City Police Dept. Chief of Department Philip Banks, right, listens during a news conference in New York, on Jan. 30, 2014. (AP Photo)

Federal prosecutors previously named Banks as an "unindicted co-conspirator" in an investigation into a police bribery scheme during former Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration. Banks abruptly retired in 2014 but returned to city government after Adams took office in 2022.

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Wright, the first deputy mayor, lives with her partner, David Banks, the city's schools chancellor and brother of Philip Banks. It was not immediately clear whether investigators also sought records related to David Banks.

Fox News' Henry Nacari and The Associated Press contributed to this report.