NYC Mayor Eric Adams Under Federal Indictment, Administration Tied To Nightclub Corruption

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today was indicted on five federal corruption charges, which include bribery, conspiracy, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations connected to a Turkish businessman acting as a liaison between Adams and the Turkish government, all of which the Adams administration denies. In recent weeks, many members of his administration have been investigated, had their phones seized and/or resigned. Not included in today’s indictment, but which The New York Times chronicled extensively, include corruption charges in regards to the New York Police Department’s nightclub enforcement.

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned his post on Sept. 12 as federal agents investigated him and his twin brother James Caban, a former NYPD officer who reportedly owns a nightclub security business and faces allegations of extorting clubs throughout New York City. James Caban denies these allegations.

In several reports, however, Shamel Kelly, who owns a juice bar/lounge in Coney Island alleges he was harassed by NYPD officers with regular noise complaints, despite courts not upholding the violations. Kelly claims he was connected with James Caban, who allegedly offered to help get the NYPD off his back for $2,500. Kelly states he did not agree to pay, and his bar wound up shuttering its doors.

According the The Times the feds are investigating the following in regards to the nightclub corruption charges:

— Records or evidence of payments from nightclubs, bars or restaurants to James Caban or to any members of law enforcement.

— Evidence of any actions taken by members of law enforcement at the request of any nightclub, bar or restaurant

— Records of promotions or transfers of members of law enforcement

— Officers’ testimony surrounding the department’s rules and regulations around conflicts of interest and accepting gifts, services or money.”

Federal investigators are searching to find if James Caban profited from his brother’s ties and if he was paid by various bars and clubs throughout Midtown Manhattan and Queens to act as a police liaison. For clubs that wound up paying Caban’s proposed fees, investigators are looking to see if special treatment was then provided.

Edward Caban, the former NYPD Commissioner, took over the department in July 2023.