NYPD Commissioner Caban is being investigated by IRS and US Attorney's Office, official says

The IRS and federal prosecutors in Manhattan are behind a new investigation into NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and other high-ranking police officials – in addition to numerous other criminal investigations surrounding Mayor Eric Adams' inner circle, a law enforcement source told Gothamist.

The IRS investigation is unrelated to the FBI raids on the homes of three senior advisers to Mayor Eric Adams earlier this week, the official said.

The official, who asked not to be identified to discuss an ongoing investigation, said numerous federal agents served multiple search warrants on Caban and other law enforcement officials.

The official said a member of Caban's family was also served with an arrest warrant. Two nightlife industry sources say James Caban, the commissioner's brother and a former police officer, works as a consultant to nightclubs and music venues in New York City. Media reported Friday night that the investigation is focusing on whether James Caban was paid by bars and restaurants to receive preferential treatment from police.

A spokesman for IRS Criminal Investigation declined in an email to comment on the case or answer questions.

The news that Caban and the police are facing a separate federal investigation in addition to the FBI's investigation into the mayor's closest aides, exacerbates the mayor's already significant legal problems on his path to re-election.

Adams' own campaign is under investigation by at least two people — the FBI and the Manhattan district attorney. Another aide, Winnie Greco, is also the target of a federal investigation. And this week, the FBI visited the home of Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, as well as the home of Adams' first deputy mayor, Sheena Wright, which she shares with school principal David Banks, Philip's brother.

At least two city council members called for Caban's resignation after it was revealed that he was under investigation.

“He is the chief of the NYPD. He is the symbol of the NYPD. So he is not reflecting well on the police right now. He is casting a shadow on the police department,” said City Councilman Bob Holden of Queens.

The phone number associated with James Caban's address in the New City neighborhood of Rockland County went unanswered Friday.

The New York Police Department said Thursday that it was cooperating with federal investigators, but declined to comment on the nature of the investigation or the officers involved.

“To ensure due process, let the review continue,” Mayor Eric Adams told WPIX on Friday. “I believe the information that I have turned over, whatever was asked of me, will show that I have done nothing wrong.”

Jon Campbell contributed reporting.