David Banks, Chancellor of New York Schools, comments on FBI raid on his home; NYPD phones subpoenaed

NEW YORK (WABC) — New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks says he is “cooperating with a federal investigation” after federal investigators this week seized the cellphones of the New York City Police Commissioner and at least four senior deputies of New York Mayor Eric Adams.

Eyewitness News was outside the Hamilton Heights home he shares with his fiancée, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, where federal authorities raided Thursday.

Schools Chancellor Banks released a statement early Friday saying, “Yesterday was the first day of school for the 1.1 million students and staff of New York City's public schools, and I remain focused on providing them with a safe, academically challenging and joyful school year. I confirm that I am cooperating with a federal investigation. At this time, I cannot comment further on this matter.”

The FBI visited the homes of two of New York Mayor Eric Adams' closest aides on Thursday and confiscated the cell phones of at least seven NYPD officers, including one belonging to Commissioner Edward Caban.

The FBI went to the home of Banks and Wright, as well as to the home of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, David Banks' brother, in Hollis, Queens, where agents asked them to turn over their phones, the sources said.

It started on Wednesday morning, but the news didn't come to light until Thursday afternoon. Both events probably happened on Wednesday morning.

According to sources, the FBI seized evidence as part of the investigation, including electronic devices belonging to Wright.

Investigations have also been launched against a third brother, independent consultant Terence Banks.

No charges have been filed and the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office in Lower Manhattan are continuing their investigation.

On Thursday afternoon, Adams insisted he was confident despite the series of FBI actions that reached deep into his inner circle.

“I am not aware of any misconduct or concerns on the part of anyone on my team,” Adams said. “And we will continue to work together.”

Wright and Banks are the highest-ranking officials in the Adams administration whose homes have been searched by federal investigators.

The phone of a third city hall official, Tim Pearson, a close adviser to the mayor, was also apparently seized. One of Police Commissioner Caban's phones was also seized.

An NYPD spokesperson issued the following statement:

“The Department is aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York involving members of the Armed Forces. The Department is cooperating fully with the investigation. Any questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the U.S. Attorney's Office.”

Federal agents had previously searched the homes of several other employees of Mayor Adams, who handed over his own electronic devices to the FBI.

“I think the most important thing I have to do is send the right message to my team and to all city employees: We are going to follow all the rules, we are going to follow the law and we are going to make sure we share all the information that is required, and that is what we have done from the beginning,” Adams said.

Federal officials have already executed search warrants for the homes of the following individuals:

• Rana Abbasova, the Mayor's Advisor for International Affairs

• Winnie Greco, Special Advisor to the Mayor and Director of Asian Affairs

“I wake up every morning feeling the same, I'm committed to the city and I've followed the rules and procedures my whole life,” Adams said. “And you know, I'm confident that everything will be reviewed. We'll get all the information we need and make sure this comes to a conclusion.”

The mayor's chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, issued a statement saying, “Investigators have not indicated to us that the mayor or his staff are the target of any investigation. As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made it clear that all members of the team must follow the law.”

According to a source familiar with the matter, the searches do not appear to be related to the investigation into whether Adams accepted donations from Turkey in exchange for official favors.

The FBI declined to comment, and a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.

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