New York Police Commissioner resigns after FBI confiscates his phone

NEW YORK >> New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned today, a week after FBI agents seized his phone as part of several federal corruption investigations involving high-ranking city officials.

Caban, who was appointed in July 2023, was the first Hispanic in the history of the New York Police Department, the largest police agency in the country, to hold the position.

In a statement issued through his lawyers, Caban said he had been informed that he was not the target of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan and that he would continue to cooperate with investigators.

“My full focus must be on the NYPD,” he said in his statement. “However, the noise surrounding recent developments has made that impossible and has hindered the important work our city needs. I have therefore decided it is in the best interest of the department that I resign from my position as Commissioner.”

Last week, federal investigators seized cellphones belonging to Caban and his twin brother, James Caban, a former cop who was fired from the force in 2001 and now runs a nightclub security business, according to local news outlet The City. The commissioner has faced mounting calls to resign, and Adams has faced increasing doubts about his ability to run the city without distraction.

Agents also seized phones and searched the homes of several other high-ranking officials and advisers in Mayor Eric Adams' administration. In November, FBI agents seized electronic devices belonging to Adams.

No one has been charged with wrongdoing. Adams, a former police captain who became mayor in 2022, said he is cooperating with all investigations and has directed his officers to do the same, and that his priority remains serving New Yorkers.

“I was as surprised as you to learn of this investigation and I take it extremely seriously,” Adams said in a speech at City Hall today. “My expectation is that we must follow the law.” He praised a drop in crime during Caban's 14-month tenure and said Caban's resignation was the “best decision at this time.”

“I respect his decision and wish him all the best,” Adams said.

He said he had appointed Tom Donlon, a former FBI official and founder of a security consulting firm, as interim police chief.

According to The City, federal prosecutors in the U.S. attorney's offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn are overseeing four separate corruption investigations into senior officials in the Adams administration. They declined to comment on the raids and ongoing investigations.