NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks speaks out for first time since his home was raided by the FBI
NEW YORK -- Schools Chancellor David Banks is speaking out for the first time since the FBI raided his home as part of ongoing federal investigations into city officials.
Addressing the media at the Tweed Courthouse on Friday morning, Banks said federal agents seized two cell phones during the raid at his home. According to Banks, he has not been given his devices back yet, including his personal phone and one issued by the education department.
"As it relates to myself, I have always lived my life with integrity, every day of my life. And anybody who knows me knows that," Banks said.
Banks underlined during the press conference that he is "absolutely not the target" in these investigations.
The schools chancellor, however, finds himself at the center of at least one of the multiple federal corruption investigations into Mayor Eric Adams' administration.
Last week, federal agents issued a search warrant at the Hamilton Heights home that Banks shares with partner, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. The FBI also raided the home of the chancellor's brother Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks.
Terence Banks, the chancellor's other brother and an independent consultant, was also probed in some fashion.
All of them had to surrender their devices to federal investigators.
"I would not describe what happened there as a raid," Banks said. "They basically wanted the phones and that was it."
Terence Banks owns a company that lobbies city government on behalf of businesses.
"I love my brothers, I love my family, as I'm sure you love your brothers and your sisters and your family," Banks said. "And nobody wants to see any family member having your name in the papers."
The Banks brothers represent just one tentacle of the broad federal investigation that involves multiple cases at once.
Previously, Adams was relieved of his devices in a probe linked to political contributions. And as of 5 p.m. Friday, his police commissioner, Edward Caban, has resigned from the NYPD amid yet another corruption probe -- that one linked to his brother James and at least six other cops.
Federal investigators are trying to find out if James Caban used the commissioner's position to sell security favor to nightclubs throughout the city.
"It's been a needless distraction over the last several weeks and the fact Caban chose to step down is a very good thing," said former Commissioner Bill Bratton.
Bratton praised the mayor's quick decision to replace Caban with an outsider, former FBI agent Thomas Donlon, as the interim commissioner -- effective immediately.
"The interim commissioner will provide a buffer during this period of time that the Feds can continue interacting with the police department, they will certainly be wary of interacting with anybody under investigation, thus the need to get this thing wrapped up as quickly as possible for the good of this city, department, country for that matter," Bratton said.
ALSO READ | NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigns amid FBI probe
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
