Federal authorities have surrounded the administration of Mayor Eric Adams for more than a year — and their net appears to be tightening in recent weeks as agents launched a surprising series of impressions On Hizzoner's top aides, closest political allies and most trusted assistants.
The Southern District of New York is running multiple investigations. But the federal government has been tight-lipped about the probes — including their objectives, potential charges and how they might be connected to one another.
Here's what we know about the investigations, raids, charges and other legal troubles involving the Adams administration:
Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign
Last November, federal agents broke into the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, a 25-year-old fundraiser with close ties to people close to Adams — including Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the so-called lioness of City Hall who serves as Hizzoner’s chief adviser and gatekeeper.
Authorities are reportedly investigating Suggs — a key campaign operative who claimed to have raised more than $18 million for the mayor — for a possible bribery scheme involving the Turkish government and a Brooklyn-based construction company.
The warrant from federal authorities said they were looking for evidence of theft of federal funds, wire fraud, conspiracy to steal federal funds and conspiracy as part of a public corruption investigation examining whether cash was illegally used in Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign.
The investigator also Consider airline upgrades and one more Plans to expedite inauguration The Turkish government's new diplomatic headquarters is being planned in Manhattan, sources say.
This summer, federal prosecutors in Manhattan ordered City Hall, Adams’ campaign and the mayor himself to turn over documents, texts and other records related to the investigation.
No charges have been filed.
The NYPD commissioner and his twin brother
Sources say the federal government Now former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and his twin brother James are targetedas part of a wider corruption investigation involving influence-peddling.
Cabán — who had been with the NYPD for more than three decades — stepped down last week after federal agents showed up at the door of his Rockland County home with a warrant and demanded his electronic devices.
Authorities did the same with former policeman James Caban, who lives across the street from his brother's house. The investigation was part of an inquiry into James' work as a “fixer” at Manhattan restaurants and nightclubs that had gotten into trouble with police.
Neither of them has been accused of any wrongdoing.
Close associates David, Phil and Terence Banks
The three Banks brothers — schools chancellor David, deputy mayor for public safety Phil and private consultant Terrence — are also in the crosshairs of Manhattan federal prosecutors, whose agents seized their electronic devices during a sweeping raid earlier this month.
As in other investigations, the Banks brothers are suspected of participating in a corruption and influence-peddling scheme – namely, Whether former police officer Phil Banks Sources said he had a hand in getting city contracts for brother Terence's clients.
Following the raids — which also ensnared David Banks’ partner, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright — reports emerged that one of Terrance’s clients, education technology company 21stCentEd, had already secured a meeting with the schools chancellor less than a month after appointing Terrance as its representative.
Investigators are probing whether Terence's firmPearl AllianceHe broke the law by using his family connections to help private companies get city contracts, a source told The Associated Press.
No one has been charged with any crime.
Vinnie Greco
Federal agents in February raided the Bronx home of Vinny Greco, another top Adams aide, where they searched for emails and records about trips to China the mayor made during his time as Brooklyn Borough President.
Greco, who at the time was a volunteer running the non-profit Sino-America New York Brooklyn Archway Association Corporation, Put the trip togetherSources said.
It's unclear what evidence the government was looking for about Adams' overseas exploits, or how it might fit into a larger corruption investigation involving Greco and Meyer that is said to be operating out of New York's Eastern District.
Greco had previously been investigated by the city's Department of Investigation, which alleged he had abused his position at City Hall to obtain benefits such as renovations to his properties.
Erik Ulrich
Eric Ulrich, the former head of the city's building department, is accused of Obtaining political favors in exchange for bribes exceeding $150,000.
Ulrich is a 38-year-old former councilman from Queens who also served for a time as a senior adviser to Adams. Acquitted of 16 serious crimes in September 2023 Prosecutors say the case is the result of a years-long scheme that saw him receive, among other things, a $10,000 Mets season ticket package, a custom suit and a painting by an apprentice of Salvador Dali.
In return, Ulrich provided the co-conspirators with access to high-level city government officials, including invitations to exclusive events and dinners — as well as jobs for their family members, expedited projects and other corrupt practices and actions, prosecutors said.
He allegedly used the cash and gifts he received from his six co-defendants to live a lavish lifestyle and fund his gambling habit, which included trips to casinos and illegal gambling dens.
His case is still pending.
Retired FDNY Chiefs Anthony Sacavino and Brian Cordasco
Sacquino and Cordasco—who were once the two highest-ranking members of the FDNY's Fire Prevention Bureau— The federal indictment was unsealed on Monday In which he was accused of taking bribes worth approximately $200,000.
According to an indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court, federal authorities say the pair formed a crooked “secret partnership” over two years with a retired fire official under which they received payments to expedite inspections of 30 different projects in the Big Apple.
Court documents said retired employee Henry Santiago Jr. gave the couple bribes in cash and checks during steakhouse dinners and at the Fire Bureau office in Brooklyn.
“They allegedly created a VIP lane for faster service that could only be used by paying bribes,” said Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York. “This is classic pay-to-play corruption.”
Authorities charged both men with conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes, soliciting and receiving bribes, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and making false statements. They have pleaded not guilty.
