Authorities Subpoena NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Head of Asylum Seeker Services

Federal authorities issued a subpoena for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ director of asylum seekers this week.

On Friday, a person speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press (AP) that Molly Schaeffer, who leads the New York City’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, received a subpoena to share information with federal prosecutors.

It’s unclear what specific information federal authorities are after or whether the subpoena ties into the various federal investigations surrounding Adams, the first-term Democratic mayor and former police captain.

Responding to the AP’s request for comment, Schaeffer directed the outlet to Adams’ deputy mayor for communications, Fabien Levy, who declined to make any comments on the ongoing investigation by federal prosecutors.

“We expect all team members to fully comply with any ongoing inquiry,” Levy wrote in a text message obtained by the AP. “Molly Schaeffer is an integral part of our team and works hard every day to deliver for New Yorkers.”

Schaeffer has not been implicated in any misconduct. It’s common for federal prosecutors to issue subpoenas as part of their search for evidence and witnesses, without necessarily suspecting the recipient of a crime.

Earlier this month, federal agents confiscated the phones of several key figures in Mayor Adams’ administration, including his schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and a senior adviser overseeing migrant shelter contracts. Police Commissioner Edward Caban, who stepped down last week, was also among those whose phones were seized.

In a resignation letter obtained by several media outlets, Caban wrote, “The news around recent developments has created a distraction for our department, and I am unwilling to let my attention be on anything other than our important work, or the safety of the men and women of the NYPD.”

“For the good of this city and this department—I have made the difficult decision to resign as Police Commissioner,” Caban said.

Caban had served in the NYPD for over 30 years, starting as a patrol officer in 1991 in the Bronx, where he grew up. He worked his way up the ranks and served as the department’s first deputy commissioner before becoming commissioner last year, making him the first Latino to lead the department. Caban served as commissioner for about 15 months before resigning.

In July, Adams was hit with a federal subpoena requesting information from him, his campaign and City Hall. The subpoena came eight months after FBI agents confiscated the mayor’s phones and iPad as he left a Manhattan event.

The subpoena sought details on Adams’ schedule, overseas travel and any possible links to the Turkish government, according to a source familiar with the investigation who spoke anonymously due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.