The safety of Police Commissioner Edward Caban’s twin brother was prioritized after a threat to Caban’s life, resulting in James Caban being escorted around New York City’s five boroughs by an NYPD vehicle. This arrangement was made due to the possibility that a would-be attacker might mistake one brother for the other. The legal bureau of the NYPD approved this plan, which commenced after Edward became commissioner in July 2023.
However, the feds have since seized the phone belonging to the detective who drove James Caban around as part of a corruption investigation that has implicated several of Mayor Eric Adams’ top aides, lieutenants, and political allies. The Southern District of New York is currently investigating allegations of corruption and influence peddling by raiding various locations in search of evidence.
Among those targeted was James Caban himself, who reportedly has a history as a “fixer” for troubled nightclubs that had problems with the police. The feds raided both his house and his brother’s home across the street, but neither he nor anyone else has been charged with a crime.
James Caban started his career in law enforcement with the NYPD back in 1989. However, due to numerous complaints and allegations, including substantiated charges of excessive force and abuse of authority in 1996, he was forced into early retirement in January 2001. In a more recent development, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail for failing to make necessary repairs at his apartment building on Commonwealth Avenue, which resulted from ignoring hundreds of repair requests needed at the 12-unit property.
After his dismissal from the NYPD, James Caban transitioned into “consulting work,” which sources say essentially involves smoothing over issues between businesses and law enforcement officers who were previously causing problems for them.
Allegedly, James Caban would be called whenever bars or restaurants faced noise citations or underage drinking complaints. He would then visit the local precinct heads, many of whom are also being investigated by federal authorities, to negotiate a resolution. Businesses facing repeated violations could face significant fines or even lose their liquor license.
It remains unclear if James Caban operated under a company’s umbrella or independently in his alleged capacity as a “fixer.” Further details on the scope and duration of this work are also lacking at present.
