ReportWire

Tag: deputy mayor

  • NYPD phones subpoenaed, FBI raids homes of 2 of Mayor Eric Adams’ top deputies

    NYPD phones subpoenaed, FBI raids homes of 2 of Mayor Eric Adams’ top deputies

    [ad_1]

    NEW YORK (WABC) — The FBI conducted searches at the homes of two of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ closest aides, sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News, and subpoenaed the cellphones of at least seven people in the NYPD.

    The Hamilton Heights home of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and the Hollis, Queens home of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks were searched as part of an ongoing investigation, the sources said.

    The searches began Wednesday morning but news broke of the raids on Thursday afternoon. It is likely they both occurred at dawn Wednesday.

    The FBI seized evidence, including electronics from Wright, as part of the searches, according to sources.

    Wright shares her Hamilton Heights home with her partner, Schools Chancellor David Banks, who is the brother of Phil Banks.

    No charges have been filed and the investigation continues by the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office in Lower Manhattan.

    Wright and Banks are the highest-ranking Adams administration officials to have their homes searched by federal investigators.

    In total, seven people in the NYPD received subpoenas for their phones, which they turned over, an official said.

    At least four were NYPD executives, the rank of captains or above. At least three others in the NYPD also had their phones subpoenaed.

    An NYPD spokesperson released the following statement:

    “The Department is aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York involving members of service. The Department is fully cooperating in the investigation. Any questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

    Federal agents have previously raided the homes of several other associates of Mayor Adams, who turned over his own electronic devices to the FBI.

    “I think the most important thing that I must do is to send the right message to my team and all the employees in the city, we’re going to comply with whatever rules, and we’re going to follow the law, and we’re going to make sure that whatever information is needed, we’re going to turn over that information, and that is what we have been doing since the beginning,” Adams said.

    Federal officials have previously executed search warrants at the homes of:

    • Rana Abbasova, the mayor’s international affairs aide
    • Winnie Greco, a special adviser to the mayor and director of Asian affairs

    Adams reiterated that he is not aware of “any wrongdoings or misgivings” from anyone on his team and they will continue to cooperate.

    “I wake up every morning with the same feeling, commit yourself to the city, and for the entire years of my life, I follow the rules and procedures,” Adams said. “And you know, I’m confident that everything is reviewed. We’re going to comply with whatever information that’s needed and to make sure that this has come to a completion.”

    The mayor’s chief counsel Lisa Zornberg released a statement saying: “Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation. As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made clear that all members of the team need to follow the law.”

    A source familiar with the matter said the searches do not appear to be related to the investigation into whether Adams accepted donations from Turkey in exchange for official favors.

    The FBI declined to comment and a spokesman for the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.

    ———-

    * Get Eyewitness News Delivered

    * More New York City news

    * Send us a news tip

    * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

    * Follow us on YouTube

    Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

    Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

    Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

    [ad_2]

    WABC

    Source link

  • An intruder made it to the second flood of L.A. Mayor Bass’ home: Here’s what we know

    An intruder made it to the second flood of L.A. Mayor Bass’ home: Here’s what we know

    [ad_1]

    There are still some unanswered questions about the intruder who police say broke into Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ official residence Sunday.

    No one was hurt in the incident, and police arrested Ephraim Hunter, 29. A motive for the break-in remains unclear. L.A. County prosecutors are reviewing the case.

    Here is what we know:

    Security cameras are positioned outside Getty House, the official residence of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

    (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

    The break-in

    On Sunday afternoon, officials offered sparse details about the incident, announcing only that an arrest had been made.

    “This morning at about 6:40 a.m., an intruder broke into Getty House through a window. Mayor Bass and her family were not injured and are safe,” Zach Seidl, deputy mayor of communications, said in a statement.

    Neither Bass nor the Los Angeles Police Department have provided additional details.

    Two law enforcement sources who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case with the media told The Times that Hunter made it to the second floor of the home, causing Bass to hide in a safe area designed to protect against intruders, akin to a panic room.

    Hunter was arrested without incident, according to police, who said nothing had been stolen.

    The suspect

    Hunter, an L.A. resident, was booked on suspicion of burglary Sunday afternoon, police said. No charges have been filed.

    In a phone interview Monday, a woman who identified herself as Hunter’s mother said he had been struggling with drug addiction and possibly suffering from hallucinations.

    Josephine Duah said Hunter called her from jail Monday morning and claimed he was fleeing from someone “trying to shoot him.” Her son had no idea whose house he’d entered the previous day, she said.

    “He didn’t know that at all,” Duah said. “He just was running. … He thought somebody was chasing him and he hopped some fences and he went in the house. … I’m wondering if, mentally, he was relieved if he saw police.”

    Getty House

    The imposing residence is located in Windsor Square, one of L.A.’s more tony neighborhoods.

    One of the perks of being elected mayor is the right to live in the house, which has 14 rooms and seven bathrooms.

    An exterior view of Getty House, the L.A. mayor's official residence.

    An exterior view of Getty House, the L.A. mayor’s official residence.

    (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

    The house, which was donated to the city by Getty Oil Co. in 1975, is fitted with expensive objects, including a $25,000 chandelier, The Times reported in 2005.

    Built by Swedish immigrants in 1921, it has been home to oil tycoons and actors, including J. Paul Getty, the Barrymore family and Lee Strasberg.

    Security

    Security at the residences has been a topic of debate.

    In 2020, it was the site of numerous protests over policing policies in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police. Other protests at the mayor’s home have demanded that the city impose a blanket ban on evictions, cancel rents and take over hotels to house homeless people.

    Officials did not disclose security arrangements at Getty House.

    One LAPD source, not authorized to speak publicly about the case, said that in the wake of the break-in, a 24-hour security operation is now in place at Getty House, with police maintaining a visible presence in the area.

    Bass on Monday declined to speak at length about the incident: “Let me just say first of all, I am fine. My family is fine. And we are going to do everything we can to keep Angelenos safe.”

    [ad_2]

    Richard Winton, James Queally, David Zahniser

    Source link