NYPD Commissioner Linked to Eric Adams Expected to Resign After FBI Raid
New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban is expected to resign following an FBI raid on his home and the seizure of his cellphone.
The investigation prompting the anticipated departure has also implicated Caban's twin brother, raising concerns about corruption within the NYPD and political circles tied to Mayor Eric Adams, as the Washington Examiner reports.
Last Wednesday, federal agents raided Caban's residence, seizing his cellphone as part of an ongoing investigation. The FBI's focus on Caban comes just over a year after his appointment as the city’s police commissioner, a role he assumed under Adams.
Caban, a 33-year veteran of the force, has had a long career with the NYPD, but recent developments have cast a shadow over his tenure.
Brother Tied to Allegations of Influence Peddling
Complicating the situation, the FBI also seized phones belonging to Caban's twin brother, James Caban. James has been under scrutiny for allegedly using his brother’s powerful position to secure favors, a form of influence peddling that could have serious implications for both brothers if substantiated.
While Edward Caban has not publicly commented on his potential resignation, Adams addressed the situation during a Monday press conference.
He made it clear that the rumors surrounding Caban’s resignation were not sourced from him. "There was nothing that came from me that fed those rumors at all," Adams said when questioned by reporters.
Mayor Defends Top Police Official Amid Ongoing Scrutiny
Despite the growing controversy, Adams has continued to defend Caban. When asked directly whether the commissioner would retain his position, Adams offered a guarded response: “I don’t think anything in life is guaranteed,” suggesting that Caban's future with the department remains uncertain.
This investigation into Caban is just one part of a larger FBI inquiry that has targeted members of Adams’s inner circle. The probe has been active for over 10 months, with federal agents investigating various political figures linked to the mayor’s office.
Parallel Investigation into Mayor’s Campaign and Foreign Money
Separate from the current investigation into Caban and his brother, the FBI is also looking into Mayor Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign. Federal authorities are investigating whether foreign money from Turkey was funneled into the campaign, a probe that became public in November 2023.
This investigation has already led to the raiding of homes connected to two individuals affiliated with Adams’s campaign: Brianna Suggs and Rana Abbasova.
These revelations have spurred speculation that the investigation could be politically motivated. Some political figures have suggested that the scrutiny on Adams and his associates stems from his vocal criticism of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. Mayor Adams has been a prominent critic of the administration’s handling of the migrant crisis in New York City, which some believe could have drawn the attention of federal investigators.
Political Reactions to FBI’s Probe
One of Adams’s most ardent defenders, Democratic state Sen. Leroy Comrie, has called the investigation a “witch hunt.” Comrie's remarks came last year, long before the most recent FBI actions against Caban and his brother. Although the investigation continues to unfold, there has been little direct evidence to support claims of political bias thus far.
The ongoing FBI investigations -- both into Adams’s political allies and his mayoral campaign -- have created a cloud of uncertainty around his administration. With Edward Caban expected to step down, the implications for the NYPD and the political landscape in New York City remain unclear.
Conclusion
Edward Caban’s anticipated resignation as New York City Police Commissioner follows an FBI raid on his home, which has also embroiled his twin brother, James Caban.
The investigation into the two brothers is part of a broader FBI inquiry into Mayor Eric Adams's inner circle, some of whom are being scrutinized for their alleged involvement in Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign.
As the investigation progresses, speculation about the potential political motivations behind it continues, while Mayor Adams maintains his defense of Caban amid the controversy.
Politicians like state Sen. Leroy Comrie have voiced their skepticism, labeling the investigation a “witch hunt” despite a lack of clear evidence to support such claims.