Swirling federal investigations test New York mayor's ability to govern

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mayor Eric Adams is facing increasing doubts about his ability to govern after federal investigators seized the cellphones of several officials in his administration, adding to the scrutiny of a Democrat already embroiled in what appears to be a separate criminal investigation.

On Wednesday, federal agents seized devices from Adams' police chief, his schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and several other advisers.

None of the officers involved have been charged with a crime, but the wave of searches has heightened suspicions about Adams, a former city police captain who has made a name for himself as a law-and-order advocate.

They have also expressed doubts internally about the administration's ability to continue to focus on serving the country's largest city.

In a private phone call with senior staff on Friday, the city's emergency management officer, Zach Iscol, gave a blunt assessment of the impact of the investigation on public safety.

“This is not good,” he said, according to a recording of the meeting obtained by the Associated Press. “There is a lot going on in the city and what I am most concerned about is the distraction of the city leadership.”

The agency responsible for the city's emergency response falls under the jurisdiction of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, whose home was visited by police on Wednesday. Iscol said in the phone call that he had not spoken to City Hall leadership as of Friday morning.

The FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment, and it was not immediately clear whether federal authorities were seeking information related to one or more investigations.

In addition to Banks, federal agents on Wednesday seized devices from Police Commissioner Edward Caban, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Banks' brother David Banks, the city's schools chancellor, and Timothy Pearson, a senior adviser to the mayor and former high-ranking official in the New York Police Department.

The seizures came nearly a year after federal agents seized Adams' phones and iPad as he left a Manhattan event. Investigators also searched the homes of a key fundraiser for Adams' campaign and an employee of his administration's Office of International Affairs.

In February, federal authorities raided two properties belonging to its director of Asian affairs as part of a separate investigation overseen by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn.

Earlier this summer, Adams, his campaign team and City Hall received subpoenas from federal prosecutors demanding that they turn over information about the mayor's foreign travel and his possible ties to the Turkish government.

The latest wave of searches appears to be unrelated to the investigation in Turkey or the probe by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to disclose information about the investigation.

“The mayor smacks of corruption,” says Douglas Muzzio, a political scientist emeritus at Baruch College with a deep knowledge of New York politics. “You have to assume that at some point the feeling that the government is not working will spread in the public consciousness.”

Federal investigators appear to have taken an interest in Adams' inner circle as early as this winter. John Scola, a lawyer representing four city employees who have accused Pearson of sexual harassment, said three of his clients received visits in February from FBI agents who wanted to know about Pearson and his work for City Hall.

Pearson had previously worked with Phil Banks before being put in charge of a new mayoral unit tasked with overseeing city agencies.

Those who worked with Pearson said he had an unusual scope of responsibilities that gave him wide latitude over police promotions, pandemic recovery efforts and certain migrant homeless shelters. He is currently under a separate city investigation for his role in a brawl at one of those shelters.

Throughout the FBI's tenure, Adams insisted that he had followed the law and would remain focused on his duties as mayor.

Adams has been repeatedly asked about the investigation at press conferences. His mantra is: “Stay focused, don't get distracted and work hard.”

Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the mayor, said nothing would affect the administration's ability to govern.

“For nearly a year, the mayor has made it absolutely clear that, as a former member of the police force, he will always follow the law. At the same time, he has remained focused on taking care of the people of the city,” Levy said in a statement Friday, citing recent drops in crime, increased jobs and other city initiatives.

Since the searches Wednesday morning, the mayor has personally visited a tunnel emergency, held a public event for the first day of school and met with residents concerned about e-bikes. On Friday, he held his regularly scheduled conference call with senior staff at 8 a.m. and then met with the mayor of Lisbon, Levy said.

In a statement, schools chancellor David Banks said, “I remain focused on ensuring they have 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.”

Benjamin Brafman, an attorney for Philip Banks, confirmed that a search was conducted but otherwise declined comment. The NYPD's press office also confirmed a federal investigation involving department employees but declined to make Caban available for comment. A phone message left with Pearson's attorney was not returned.

But news of the recent investigation has given Adams' opponents new and effective lines of attack ahead of what is expected to be a hotly contested Democratic mayoral primary.

Democratic City Treasurer Brad Lander is one of the few challengers to Adams in next year's primary election. He said the fact that much of the mayor's top staff is under investigation “could create some distraction and fear about trustworthiness and the consequences for all New Yorkers.”

“New Yorkers want to know that their leaders are focused on their problems, not their own. And agency employees also need focused leadership to help them meet the challenges facing New Yorkers,” Lander said.

Scott Stringer, a former city treasurer who is expected to run against Adams next year, said the investigations would become a serious obstacle to the day-to-day running of government.

“We New Yorkers are not stupid,” he said. “We know that the government is paralyzed by the investigation. I think the mayor needs to step up and honestly tell New Yorkers everything he knows about what's going on.”