NYC police commissioner resigns amid nightclub probe
Jonathan Dienst and Tom Winter and Melissa Russo and Chloe Atkins
September 12, 2024 at 12:47 PM
New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban
resigned Thursday amid a federal investigation into the department's nightclub enforcement, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Caban, the city’s
first Latino police commissioner, took over the department in July 2023 after being tapped by Mayor Eric Adams, whose administration is the target of multiple federal investigations.
“The news around recent developments has created a distraction for our department, and I am unwilling to let my attention be on anything other than our important work, or the safety of the men and women of the NYPD,” Caban said in an email to members of the NYPD, which was obtained by NBC News.
"I hold immense respect and gratitude for the brave officers who serve this department, and the NYPD deserves someone who can solely focus on protecting and serving New York City, which is why — for the good of this city and this department — I have made the difficult decision to resign as police commissioner," the email added.
Adams, speaking in an address later Thursday, announced that he was appointing Thomas Donlon as the interim police commissioner. Donlon is a national security expert who previously ran the FBI’s National Threat Center and the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorist Task Force. He was also the New York state director of the Office of Homeland Security.
Caban's phone was seized last week around the same time that FBI agents raided the homes of top Adams administration officials as part of a separate probe. Those whose homes were searched included First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III.
Caban's twin brother, James Caban, who owns a nightclub security business, also had his phone seized in the corruption investigation involving the NYPD.
Federal investigators want to know if James Caban profited from his ties to his powerful brother and the NYPD, according to multiple sources. Specifically, the investigation is looking into whether James Caban was paid by bars and clubs in Midtown Manhattan and Queens to act as a police liaison, and if those clubs were then afforded special treatment by local precincts, the sources said.
Lawyers for Edward Caban described him in a statement as an "accomplished public servant who has dedicated his life to the safety and security of the people of this great city."
"We have been informed by the government that he is not a target of any investigation being conducted by the Southern District of New York, and he expects to cooperate fully with the government," said the lawyers, Russell Capone and Rebekah Donaleski.
Spokespersons for the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In the past year, FBI agents have searched the homes of
multiple city officials and advisers close to Adams as part of a separate investigation that is believed to be focused on whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources, funneled through straw donors.
A City Hall source said last week that the latest search did not seem to be related to the Turkey investigation.
Adams has repeatedly
deflected questions about the investigation while stressing that he has not officially been accused of wrongdoing.
"I was as surprised as you to learn of these inquiries and I take them extremely seriously," the mayor said Thursday.
He said he accepted Caban's resignation a short time ago and concluded that "this is the best decision at this time."
"I respect his decision, and I wish him well," Adams added.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigns after federal raid
Renee Anderson
Updated September 12, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
NEW YORK -- New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban announced his resignation Thursday, less than a week after federal agents
raided his home along with others in Mayor Eric Adams' inner circle.
Caban sent a letter to members of the NYPD, saying the news surrounding the raids had "created a distraction for our department." His resignation is not an admission of guilt, and sources tell CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer he insists he has done nothing wrong.
"I hold immense respect and gratitude for the brave officers who serve this department, and the NYPD deserves someone who can solely focus on protecting and serving New York City, which is why - for the good of this city and this department - I have made the difficult decision to resign as Police Commissioner," he wrote.
Adams later confirmed the commissioner's resignation, saying he respects Caban's decision to step down.
"Edward Caban concluded that this is the best decision at this time. I respect his decision and I wish him well," the mayor said Thursday afternoon. "Commissioner Caban dedicated his life to making our city safer, and we saw a drop in crime for 13 of the 14 months he served as commissioner."
The mayor also announced Tom Donlon will take over as interim commissioner of the department. Donlon released a statement, saying he is "honored and humbled" to take the helm.
"My goals are clear: continue the historic progress decreasing crime and removing illegal guns from our communities, uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency, and support our dedicated officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," he wrote. "I want to thank outgoing Commissioner Caban for his service to this department throughout his more than 30-year career and I look forward to building on the progress this administration has made keeping New York City the safest big city in America."
Caban was
sworn in as New York City's 46th police commissioner in July 2023. He
took over for Keechant Sewell and became the first Latino to lead the department.
Thursday's resignation comes after U.S. attorneys
seized cellphones from the police commissioner and his twin brother last week, as well as the schools chancellor and two deputy mayors. Sources say Caban's twin, James,
allegedly worked as a "fixer" for restaurants and nightclubs, smoothing things over between police and popular establishments around noise complaints and other violations.
Earlier this week, the commissioner denied reports he would step down, and the mayor was
grilled by reporters about his future with the department.
Read Caban's full letter of resignation
Ahead of the City Hall press conference, the police commissioner sent the following letter to his department:
"To the Members of the New York City Police Department: On yesterday's solemn day of remembrance, as we came together to honor our fallen brothers and sisters, I was reminded of the unwavering dedication and resilience of the NYPD. Serving as your Commissioner has been the greatest honor of my career, and I am proud to stand next to you each and every day. I have dedicated over 30 years of service to this department. Every day, whether as a patrol officer on the streets of the Bronx, the Commissioner of the department, and my many stops in between, I have been inspired by the courage, tenacity, and selflessness of each of you. The greatest city in the world would not be so without the greatest police force in the world. Together, we have removed thousands of firearms from the streets, brought justice to countless victims of violent crimes, and helped to heal and bring communities together. The families, business owners, tourists, as well as all who walk the streets, take the subway, and live freely and safely in New York, do so because of you. My complete focus has always been on the NYPD – the department and people I love and have dedicated over 30 years of service to.
However, the news around recent developments has created a distraction for our department, and I am unwilling to let my attention be on anything other than our important work, or the safety of the men and women of the NYPD. I hold immense respect and gratitude for the brave officers who serve this department, and the NYPD deserves someone who can solely focus on protecting and serving New York City, which is why – for the good of this city and this department – I have made the difficult decision to resign as Police Commissioner. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, and for the opportunity you have given me to serve alongside the members of this great department. I feel strongly that we have the best police force in the world, and have complete faith in the leaders across the NYPD. Edward A. Caban"
The Police Benevolent Association shared a statement, thanking Caban for "always listening to our concerns and being willing to work with us on the issues affecting our members."
"But no matter who is leading the NYPD, this remains a uniquely challenging period for police officers on the streets. The NYPD is severely understaffed. Police officers are severely overworked and overburdened. We are constantly assaulted by violent criminals and constantly attacked by anti-police activists who want us punished and prosecuted for simply doing our job. All of this puts public safety at risk. We need the next police commissioner to continue working with us to face those challenges head-on from day one," the PBA statement continued.
Feds raid NYC Mayor Eric Adams' inner circle
Sources told CBS News New York that in addition to the U.S. attorney issuing search warrants for cellphones belonging to Caban and his brother, the feds also
sent the NYPD an evidence preservation letter, ordering it not to destroy any electronic files.
While that is typical protocol for investigations, sources said additional electronics were removed from the Verizon building near One Police Plaza, which houses the office of Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, one of
several members of the mayor's administration whose homes were raided last week.
Adams said at the time he was not aware of any misdoings by the staff members, including Schools Chancellor David Banks and his fiancé, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, as well as mayoral advisor Timothy Pearson.
Philip and David Banks are brothers, and their other brother, Terence,
also had his home searched, his attorney told The Associated Press.
On Thursday, Kramer asked Gov. Kathy Hochul if she has any concerns about working with the Adams administration.
"When there is evidence of wrongdoing, when there's evidence of a crime, we take steps necessary to remove them from those positions when that individual is found in committing a crime themselves," the governor replied. "Gathering intelligence by law enforcement is a different stage of the process."
At this point, no one has been charged, and it's unclear what exactly the feds are looking for.
