FBI searches the homes of at least three high-ranking deputies of the New York mayor

NEW YORK (AP) — FBI agents this week searched the homes of at least three high-ranking deputies of New York Mayor Eric Adams, according to a person familiar with the matter.

FBI agents on Wednesday seized electronic devices from the homes of Phillip Banks, the deputy mayor for public safety, and Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor, said the person, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak about the ongoing investigation. Agents also searched the home of Timothy Pearson, a former high-ranking New York Police Department official who now advises the mayor on public safety issues, the person said.

Spokespeople for the FBI and Adams declined to comment.

Benjamin Brafman, an attorney for Phillip Banks, confirmed that a search was conducted at his client’s home early Wednesday morning, but declined to comment further.

The searches were the latest sign of legal troubles in Adams’ administration. He is a first-term Democrat and former New York City police captain. In November, federal agents seized the mayor’s phones and iPad as he left a Manhattan event and searched the home of one of his top fundraisers. While Adams denies any wrongdoing, he confirmed last month that he had received a subpoena from federal prosecutors.

Pearson is currently facing multiple lawsuits alleging sexual harassment of female employees, and is under a separate investigation for his role in a fight at a homeless shelter. An attorney representing Pearson in the harassment lawsuit did not immediately respond to a call.

Banks was previously named by federal prosecutors as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in an investigation into a police bribery scheme during former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s tenure. Banks abruptly retired in 2014 but returned to city government after Adams took office in 2022.

Wright, the first deputy mayor, lives with her partner David Banks, the city’s school principal and brother of Phillip Banks. It was not immediately clear whether investigators were also looking for records related to David Banks.

A spokesman for the city’s law enforcement agency declined to comment.