NYPD Chief Likely to Resign Following Federal Investigation
Edward Caban and his twin brother find themselves caught in an expanding investigation.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban is on the brink of stepping down amid a federal probe into alleged corruption, according to four insiders briefed on the situation, as reported by PMG.
Caban has plans to consult with top police officials on Monday regarding his tenure, which may be ending soon despite not being solely his decision, shared two sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussion.
As of Monday afternoon, Caban had yet to resign formally.
“We remain focused on ensuring New Yorkers are safe every single day, and that’s our top priority,” stated City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy. “We’re not going to speculate on rumors at this point.”
In a press conference unrelated to the matter on Monday, Mayor Eric Adams expressed his reasons for selecting Caban, stating, "I chose him for his experience and what he brought after 30-something years of service."
"Rumors are always out there," Adams remarked. "There was nothing that came from me that fed those rumors."
When pressed about whether Caban would maintain his role for the next two months, Adams said, “I don't think anything in life is guaranteed."
Should Caban resign, it would be the first major change in Mayor Adams’ team since federal agents recently targeted the residences of numerous senior city officials, during which Caban’s phone was confiscated. His twin brother James, as well as Caban’s chief of staff and Deputy Inspector Robert Gault, also had their phones seized, as per a PMG report.
This investigation, being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York along with the IRS, was first disclosed by NBC New York. The probe extends to other high-ranking members of Adams’ team, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III, whose phones were taken by investigators last Wednesday.
Federal authorities are also examining electronic devices linked to Terence Banks, a consultant and brother to Philip Banks, and Tim Pearson, an aide to Adams with significant influence in the police department but vague official duties.
Caban has notably been under significant scrutiny over recent days.
Calls for Caban’s resignation have come from both ends of the political spectrum, including the conservative-leaning New York Post editorial board, supportive of Adams, and progressive City Council Member Lincoln Restler, a critic of the mayor.
This resignation could significantly impact Adams as he prepares for his reelection campaign. Adams, a moderate Democrat, has emphasized his governance skills and prioritized public safety in his administration, which is now caught up in various federal investigations, including one focused on his 2021 campaign.
The ongoing investigation particularly involves James Caban’s nightlife consultancy and its potential profits from his brother’s NYPD position, initially reported by the New York Post.
Adams commented on Caban’s performance in a recent interview with PIX11, stating despite the investigation, Caban has effectively reduced crime and “could continue to do his job.” When asked if he still had “full confidence” in Caban, Adams affirmed that he did.
Caban was appointed by Adams in July 2023 after the resignation of former Commissioner Keechant Sewell, who left after 18 months due to issues with her oversight from City Hall.
Emily Ngo contributed to this report.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
Caban has plans to consult with top police officials on Monday regarding his tenure, which may be ending soon despite not being solely his decision, shared two sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussion.
As of Monday afternoon, Caban had yet to resign formally.
“We remain focused on ensuring New Yorkers are safe every single day, and that’s our top priority,” stated City Hall spokesperson Fabien Levy. “We’re not going to speculate on rumors at this point.”
In a press conference unrelated to the matter on Monday, Mayor Eric Adams expressed his reasons for selecting Caban, stating, "I chose him for his experience and what he brought after 30-something years of service."
"Rumors are always out there," Adams remarked. "There was nothing that came from me that fed those rumors."
When pressed about whether Caban would maintain his role for the next two months, Adams said, “I don't think anything in life is guaranteed."
Should Caban resign, it would be the first major change in Mayor Adams’ team since federal agents recently targeted the residences of numerous senior city officials, during which Caban’s phone was confiscated. His twin brother James, as well as Caban’s chief of staff and Deputy Inspector Robert Gault, also had their phones seized, as per a PMG report.
This investigation, being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York along with the IRS, was first disclosed by NBC New York. The probe extends to other high-ranking members of Adams’ team, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III, whose phones were taken by investigators last Wednesday.
Federal authorities are also examining electronic devices linked to Terence Banks, a consultant and brother to Philip Banks, and Tim Pearson, an aide to Adams with significant influence in the police department but vague official duties.
Caban has notably been under significant scrutiny over recent days.
Calls for Caban’s resignation have come from both ends of the political spectrum, including the conservative-leaning New York Post editorial board, supportive of Adams, and progressive City Council Member Lincoln Restler, a critic of the mayor.
This resignation could significantly impact Adams as he prepares for his reelection campaign. Adams, a moderate Democrat, has emphasized his governance skills and prioritized public safety in his administration, which is now caught up in various federal investigations, including one focused on his 2021 campaign.
The ongoing investigation particularly involves James Caban’s nightlife consultancy and its potential profits from his brother’s NYPD position, initially reported by the New York Post.
Adams commented on Caban’s performance in a recent interview with PIX11, stating despite the investigation, Caban has effectively reduced crime and “could continue to do his job.” When asked if he still had “full confidence” in Caban, Adams affirmed that he did.
Caban was appointed by Adams in July 2023 after the resignation of former Commissioner Keechant Sewell, who left after 18 months due to issues with her oversight from City Hall.
Emily Ngo contributed to this report.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
