The homes of two key aides to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Sheena Wright and Phil Banks, were raided by FBI agents early Wednesday morning as part of an ongoing federal investigation. Sources inside law enforcement verified that at about five in the morning, Wright's residence in Harlem and Banks' home in Queens were raided simultaneously.
Among Adams' closest advisors are Sheena Wright, the city's first deputy mayor, and Phil Banks, the deputy mayor for public safety. Despite Adams's innocence, there has been a notable intensification of a federal investigation connected to the mayor's 2021 campaign with these events.
Although the goal of the raids was not immediately apparent, people familiar with the inquiry said that federal officials were trying to enlist the help of people connected to the mayor. Adams has continuously denied any involvement in criminal activity, even in light of the involvement of his senior advisers.
One raid targeted Wright's Harlem property on West 143rd Street, while the other targeted Banks' Queens home. Similar raids on a number of Adams' associates, including his top campaign donor Brianna Suggs, preceded these searches. Allegations of a kickback conspiracy connected to City Hall and the Turkish government had already implicated Suggs.
Longtime Adams supporter Banks is the brother of Schools Chancellor David Banks, who is rumored to be seeing Wright. After the raid, David Banks was observed leaving the Harlem home, but he refused to respond to inquiries from the media. It's still unclear what role, if any, he played. Prior to this, Phil Banks was identified as an uncharged accomplice in an other federal police corruption investigation.
In July, a grand jury subpoena was issued to Adams as part of the federal investigation, along with subpoenas to City Hall and his campaign. The inquiry, which centers on fundraising efforts for Adams' 2021 campaign, resulted in the electronic devices belonging to the mayor being seized.
Adams' campaign and City Hall have refrained from commenting on the FBI's most recent operations. Although law enforcement did not disclose the precise purpose of the raids, there were indications from insiders that the investigation is still moving forward.
Two of Adams' most dependable assistants are now in the public eye because to these recent events. Banks, who is in charge of public safety, and Wright, who holds a significant position as deputy mayor, have long been the focal points of Adams' administration. But the ongoing federal investigation into their actions has clouded their accomplishments and brought up fresh concerns about City Hall's internal operations.
The political destiny of Adams and his administration may come under more scrutiny as the inquiry progresses. Although the mayor is not facing any legal action, the increasing attention from the federal government on his entourage raises questions about the transparency of his fundraising methods and the possibility that foreign interests have influenced his rise to power.