Mayor Adams says raid on NYPD interim commissioner's homes was 'private matter'

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday he's "comfortable" with the NYPD's interim police commissioner, Tom Donlon, whose homes were raided late last week by federal agents looking for documents in Donlon's possession.

Speaking at City Hall, Adams described the raid, a result of search warrants for Donlon's homes, as "a private matter that he was dealing with."

"It had nothing to do with his role as the police commissioner," said Adams, who himself, along with his inner circle, administration, and political campaign, has been the subjects of seizures by federal authorities conducting criminal investigations. Adams' own electronic devices were seized last year.

Donlon, a former FBI agent, supervisor, state homeland security official and principal at a private security firm, was appointed Sept. 12 to be interim NYPD commissioner, following the abrupt resignation of Edward Caban, whose own home was raided by federal authorities reportedly looking into an illegal protection racket for bars and nightclub.

The Donlon raids were disclosed Saturday evening by the NYPD's press office, which issued a statement attributed to Donlon: “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 nature of the documents seized by the authorities has not been disclosed.

Adams referred inquiries to the FBI and local U.S. Attorney's Office, neither of which have commented. Adams did not disclose details about his conversation with Donlon, whom he called "a great New Yorker."

"Our federal authorities must work closely with the New York City Police Department. We're dealing with terrorism. We're dealing with dangerous gangs that come across our borders. We're dealing with immigration issues. So it's important to do so," said Adams.

"And many New Yorkers have communicated to me about the actions that took place last week, which is a private matter that he was dealing with. It had nothing to do with his role as the police commissioner," the mayor said.

Asked about the tumult in the Adams administration — investigations, resignations, including of Caban, the city's first Hispanic commissioner — and how constituencies such as Hispanic New Yorkers might react, Adams said: "I would tell them, this is our city, mi casa, su casa, and we gonna be alright."

Adams said he had no plans to resign.

"I'm stepping up, not stepping down," he said. "I have a city to run."

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

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