The FBI’s investigation into officials close to Mayor Eric Adams and a recent COVID diagnosis do not have the Big Apple’s leader in the best of spirits.
And although sources close to the municipal administration say that the mayor is expecting NYPD Commissioner Edward Cabán to resign in the next few days, the mayor made it clear that he does not want to “stir up the hornet’s nest” regarding the fate of the first Latino to take the reins of the Police.
Cabán has been in the eye of the storm since last week when federal agents searched the homes of senior officials in the Adams Administration and confiscated electronic devices, and although this Tuesday the main questions about the future of the police chief were at the forefront of the president’s virtual press conference from his residence, Adams did not confirm anything about what will happen to the official.
Federal authorities have seized the NYPD Commissioner’s cellphone and are reportedly investigating whether his twin brother, James Cabán, was trading influence in the NYPD with nightclubs.
“I have the utmost confidence in the New York City Police Department,” Adams said after being asked about Cabán, without referring directly to the police chief, but denying that his administration is pressuring the Latino police officer to step aside. “Commissioner Cabán is part of a team there, and the whole team has to work. One person does not determine the success of the New York City Police Department. If there is a change in personnel in this city, we are going to do what we have always done. We will announce it, and if someone decides to move on to another aspect of their life, we will announce that as well.”
In addition to Cabán, federal authorities last week searched the homes of Deputy Mayor Phil Banks, Schools Chancellor David Banks, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Special Counsel Timothy Pearson. However, it is noteworthy that so far members of the Adams administration have not been charged with wrongdoing or criminal acts.
Despite reporters’ insistence on what kind of action Adams would take if his officials were accused of misdemeanors or crimes, the mayor continued to avoid giving concrete answers and said he remains committed to finishing his term and then seeking re-election as Mayor. He mentioned a conversation he had with Cabán, but did not give details.
“I spoke to the commissioner yesterday (Monday). As I have always said, I do not enter into private conversations. Whatever new changes are made in the administration, when they occur, we will announce them,” Adams said, stressing that Cabán has no accusations against him. “He has not been charged with any crime (…) I have never made any comment that says any member of this administration is being pressured by me to resign.”
The president stressed that he will continue to fight for the people of the Big Apple and that he will not respond to “hypotheses,” but he acknowledged that the investigations by federal authorities into members of his administration took him by surprise.
“I realize that these investigations have raised a lot of questions and concerns. There are some serious issues that need to be addressed. I was shocked, like you, to learn of these investigations and I take them very seriously,” Adams said. “I think it is imperative that we follow the process and the system of doing investigations. That is what I have done during my years in law enforcement and that is what we do in this country. So the focus of this administration is to continue this success that we have demonstrated during my years in office.”
Adams insisted that despite rumors that the City is pressuring Commissioner Cabán to resign from his position, these reports do not correspond to reality.
“I am the City, and any order that comes from the city administration to make a personnel change will come with my blessing. And it did not come with my blessing, and I am not aware of anyone else communicating or doing anything like that,” Adams concluded.
Neither Commissioner Cabán nor NYPD spokespeople have made any comments on the possible departure of the police chief, who has held the position officially since July of last year.