NEW YORK — New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban will step down Thursday after federal agents raided the homes of Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle last week, a highly placed police source tells CBS News New York’s Marcia Kramer.
City Hall officials are expected to hold a briefing at 12 p.m. Watch it live on CBS News New York.
The news comes less than a week after U.S. attorneys seized cellphones from the police commissioner and his twin brother, as well as the schools chancellor and two deputy mayors.
A Bronx night club owned by Caban’s twin, James Caban, was also closed by city marshals. Sources say James Caban allegedly worked as a “fixer” for restaurants and nightclubs, smoothing things over between police and popular establishments around noise complaints and other violations.
Edward Caban was sworn in as New York City’s 46th police commissioner in July 2023. He took over for Keechant Sewell and became the first Latino to lead the department.
Earlier this week, the commissioner denied reports he would step down, and the mayor was grilled by reporters about his future with the department.
“Whatever new changes in the administration that will be made, when they come about, we will announce them,” Adams said Tuesday. “At this time, we’re going to continue to do the job that we’re doing in the New York City Police Department. No one does it better.”
Feds raid NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle
Sources tell CBS News New York in addition to the U.S. attorney issuing search warrants for cellphones belonging to Caban and other NYPD top brass, the feds also sent the department an evidence preservation letter, ordering it not to destroy any electronic files.
While that is typical protocol for investigations, sources say additional electronics were removed from the Verizon building near One Police Plaza, which houses the office of Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, one of several members of the mayor’s administration whose homes were raided last week.
Adams said he was not aware of any misdoings by the staff members, including Schools Chancellor David Banks and his fiancé, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, as well as mayoral advisor Timothy Pearson.
Philip and David Banks are brothers, and their other brother, Terence, also had his home searched, his attorney told The Associated Press.
At this point, no one has been charged, and it’s still a mystery what exactly the feds are looking for.
The FBI and U.S. attorney have declined comment.
contributed to this report.
