Introduction to the Investigations
Hours after a federal judge tossed the corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams, the mayor stood on the steps of Gracie Mansion and crowed, “Today finally marks the end of this chapter.” Not quite. Law enforcement investigations of some of his closest aides continue apace, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and city Department of Investigation actively delving into allegations of pay-to-play at the top levels of the administration.
Ongoing Investigations
Several Adams allies have had their electronic devices seized; some have had their homes searched. At least 11 have resigned for reasons related to the investigations, and three have so far been indicted. The web of investigations includes prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s office, the Manhattan U.S. attorney and the Brooklyn U.S. attorney, and involves everything from Adams’ team members using their influence to smooth over bureaucratic obstacles or award lucrative city contracts and hefty municipal leases in exchange for personal or political benefits.
Key Figures Under Investigation
Some of those under the law enforcement microscope include some of the mayor’s closest friends and allies, many with histories that date back decades to his time as an NYPD cop, as a state senator and as Brooklyn borough president. Adams has even likened one of them, former chief advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin, to his “sister.”
Former Chief Advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin
Lewis-Martin, one of the mayor’s long standing associates, resigned from her spot as Number Two to the mayor in December just before she was indicted by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg on charges of using her influence to help two businessmen deal with Buildings Department issues. The DA alleged the businessmen, in turn, provided her son with $100,000 toward the purchase of a Porsche. She has denied wrongdoing and the businessmen claim the money was a loan.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin is escorted into a Manhattan courtroom for an arraignment on bribery charges, Dec. 19, 2024. Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
Her troubles, however, are far from over. Prosecutors revealed last week a sitting grand jury was continuing to hear evidence about her and her co-defendants.
Jesse Hamilton, Deputy Commissioner of Real Estate Services
Hamilton, the city official who oversees the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) unit that determines where city agencies lease private sector office space, is currently under investigation by both the DA and the city Department of Investigation regarding whether he steered a lucrative lease to an Adams donor. The investigation is focused on evidence that DCAS initially planned to lease space in a downtown Manhattan building at 250 Broadway, but then Hamilton intervened and 14 Wall St. became the building of choice. That landlord, a billionaire named Alexander Rovt, had raised $15,000 for the mayor’s legal defense fund.
The Banks Brothers
In an early morning sweep in September, law enforcement seized the phones of Schools Chancellor David Banks, his brother, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III, and the chancellor’s wife, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. All have since resigned.
Deputy Mayor Philip Banks III, left, and Schools Chancellor David Banks. Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
They also confiscated the electronic devices of the Banks’ younger brother, Terence, in an investigation that appears to tie all three brothers to a tech company called Saferwatch.
Former Senior Mayoral Aide Timothy Pearson
Pearson, a longtime friend and associate of the mayor from their days in the NYPD that the mayor appointed to a vaguely defined job as “senior advisor,” had his phone seized by the feds and DOI back in September. Weeks later he resigned. As the wave of asylum seekers flooded New York City, the mayor put him in charge of monitoring public safety and anti-fraud issues at migrant shelters. Since then he’s been accused in four civil lawsuits of sexually harassing a female subordinate and retaliating against male subordinates who complained about his behavior.
Rana Abbasova, Former Director of Protocol in Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Office
In November 2023 federal and DOI investigators raided the homes of Adams’ campaign finance directors, Brianna Suggs, and mayoral aide Abbasova. Days later City Hall fired Abbasova. At the time, reports emerged that she was cooperating with law enforcement. She is listed as “Adams staffer” throughout the mayor’s indictment, allegedly helping to arrange illegal straw donations and travel perks for the mayor provided by officials with ties to the Turkish government.
Former Mayoral Aides Mohammed Bahi and Ahsan Chughtai
In December 2021, Bahi and Chughtai — then campaign volunteers who later became the mayor’s liaisons to the Muslim community — arranged $10,000 in straw donations for the campaign via an Uzbek businessman, according to Adams’ indictment. After Adams became mayor, the businessman requested his help dealing with a problem with the building department and later thanked the mayor profusely for his assistance. Former Mayor Eric Adams aide Mohamed Bahi leaves Manhattan federal court after being charged with witness tampering and destruction of evidence, Oct. 8, 2024. Credit: Alex Krales/THE CITY
In July law enforcement seized devices belonging to Bahi and Chughtai, and both later resigned from City Hall. In October Bahi was arrested, charged with orchestrating the illegal donation scheme and then trying to cover his tracks.
Winnie Greco, Mayor’s Liaison to the Asian Community
Greco, who has served as an unpaid campaign fundraiser for Adams since 2018, had two homes she owns in The Bronx, as well as an Adams campaign office she worked at in 2021, raided by the FBI early last year — shortly after THE CITY and Documented reported on suspicious campaign donations there. Winnie Greco, left, stands near then-mayoral candidate Eric Adams during a Long Island fundraiser in 2021. Credit: Screengrab via YouTube/Jerry Wang
In October she resigned from her paid government job, where she had served as Adams’ Asian Affairs Advisor since January 2022.
Edward Caban, Police Commissioner
Caban resigned in early September after serving for just over a year as NYPD commissioner, stepping down just days after he and his twin brother’s homes in Rockland County were raided by the FBI. The office of the U.S. attorney for the Southern District is reportedly looking into whether the brother, James Caban — who was fired from the NYPD in 2001 for abuse of authority — was benefitting from the commissioner’s position by offering to protect nightclubs from police enforcement as a paid consultant.
Eric Ulrich, Building Commissioner
Ulrich was the first top mayoral aide to be implicated in scandal. He resigned his position as commissioner of the Department of Buildings in November 2022 and was indicted by the Manhattan DA about a year later, charged with taking bribes from a variety of individuals seeking favorable treatment from City Hall.
Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD Chief of Department
Maddrey, the highest uniformed officer in the NYPD, had his home raided by federal officials in January, following a complaint filed by a female subordinate that he had coerced sexual favors from her in exchange for overtime opportunities.
Conclusion
The investigations into Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle are complex and multifaceted, involving various allegations of corruption, pay-to-play, and misconduct. As the investigations continue, it remains to be seen how far the mayor’s loyalty will extend to his allies and whether he will throw any of them under the bus.
FAQs
- What are the investigations into Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle about?
The investigations involve allegations of corruption, pay-to-play, and misconduct by the mayor’s closest aides and allies. - How many people have resigned or been indicted in connection with the investigations?
At least 11 people have resigned, and three have been indicted. - What is the role of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the city Department of Investigation in the investigations?
The FBI and the city Department of Investigation are actively investigating the allegations, seizing electronic devices, and conducting raids on homes and offices. - What is the significance of the investigations into the mayor’s inner circle?
The investigations highlight the potential for corruption and misconduct at the highest levels of city government and raise questions about the mayor’s judgment and leadership.
