Federal agents have ordered the NYPD to preserve all electronic files as they investigate alleged influence peddling at Big Apple nightclubs by Police Commissioner Edward Caban’s twin brother, according to a police source. The NYPD legal bureau was served with an evidence preservation letter at 1 Police Plaza on Friday.
The investigation follows a series of subpoenas targeting top members of the Adams administration. James Caban allegedly created a “nightlife consultancy company” and told clubs to hire his security people, claiming “I’ll be able to make your place safer if you hire my security people.” He also reportedly told clubs that he could call precinct commanders, his brother or Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Philip Banks if they had trouble.
The IRS is now involved in the investigation, believing that money exchanged hands between James Caban’s company or others and the clubs. In recent days, federal agents subpoenaed the phones of various police officers in areas with high concentrations of restaurants and nightclubs. The feds seized the phones of Assistant Chief James N. McCarthy, commander of Patrol Borough Manhattan South, Assistant Chief Kevin Williams Sr., commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens South, and Deputy Inspector Robert Gault, commander of the Midtown North Precinct, among others.
Federal agents also raided the homes of Police Commissioner Caban and James Caban, with sources reporting that James Caban is being eyed by the feds over his alleged work as a fixer for swanky restaurants and nightclubs. Other top Adams officials who were hit by raids this week include Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, Schools Chancellor David Banks, and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York are leading the investigation, which is also looking into Adams’ 2021 campaign donations. Some police officials are concerned that the probe could have a detrimental effect on department morale, potentially leading to an increase in police officer suicides. The NYPD stated that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
