Interim NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon's homes searched by federal agents

Federal agents have executed search warrants at the interim NYPD commissioner’s homes — a week after an FBI raid of his predecessor’s home triggered his abrupt resignation.

The latest raids — at interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon's homes — were disclosed just before midnight Saturday by the NYPD press office, which said in a statement the raids had been conducted a day earlier.

“On Friday, September 20, federal authorities executed search warrants at my residences.  They took materials that came into my possession approximately 20 years ago and are unrelated to my work with the New York City Police Department,” the statement said. “This is not a department matter, and the department will not be commenting.”

No other details were provided, and it wasn't disclosed which federal agency conducted the raids.

Donlon is a former FBI agent, state homeland security official and principal at a private security firm.

Earlier this month, the FBI raided and seized electronic devices from Donlon’s predecessor, Edward Caban, and several current and former NYPD officials, in an investigation reportedly about a possible racket involving police protection of city nightlife. Caban resigned within days, reportedly under pressure from Mayor Eric Adams. Donlon's appointment was unveiled concurrent with the resignation announcement by Caban.

Since last year, there have been raids, warrants, subpoenas or seizures involving people in Adams’ orbit, including Adams himself, whose electronic devices were seized by FBI agents who stopped his entourage and told his NYPD bodyguards to step aside so the seizure could be done.

Others at whom the action by the feds has been directed include a deputy mayor for public safety, a senior adviser, the first deputy mayor, the schools chancellor, liaisons to the Asian and international communities, the chief fundraiser and donors allegedly involved in straw donations, which are illegal, and several siblings of administration officials. 

No one has been charged with a crime. 

What the feds are scrutinizing hasn't been officially disclosed but reportedly spans at least four investigations, including into whether anyone connected to the Adams team took illegal donations from the Turkish government in exchange for favors. 

The raids at Donlon's homes were conducted Friday, the same day he appeared alongside federal law enforcement counterparts at a news conference outside the United Nations to discuss security precautions for this week's General Assembly. 

Asked at that news conference whether anyone in the NYPD, or their supervisors, is being denied sensitive information due to looming federal investigations, Kaz Daughtry, the NYPD's deputy commissioner of operations said, "the answer is 'no.'"

"We're not being restricted from any information at all," Daughtry told Newsday. "The executives that you see here are getting intel briefs, and if you have the top-level security clearance, or the secret clearance, you will get briefed."

Pressed further, a press spokesman interrupted and ended the questioning: "We're not doing back and forths."

On Sept. 12, when Donlon was appointed, a statement issued by the NYPD for Donlon said he aimed to “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.”

Fabien Levy, Adams’ top spokesman, wrote in a text message Sunday morning: “As we have repeatedly said, we expect all team members to fully comply with any law enforcement inquiry.”

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.