Adams spokeswoman Amaris Cockfield mentioned Banks’ title was eliminated by mistake when the mayor’s workplace submitted probably the most up-to-date checklist on Aug. 7. As much as that time, Banks had been on the so-called “policymaker list” for all the period of his time as deputy mayor. Cockfield didn’t elaborate on how the error occurred.
Both means, Banks was nonetheless required to file his 2024 monetary disclosure inside 60 days of his Oct. 7 resignation as a result of he was on the February 2024 model of the checklist, confirming he had policymaking authority at the least sooner or later within the final calendar 12 months.
Miller additionally confirmed Friday that Banks hasn’t filed his 2024 disclosure, despite the fact that it was due Dec. 6. He hasn’t obtained an extension.
Banks’ 2023 monetary disclosure, which he filed as required, confirmed he held as a lot as $5.7 million in varied property, together with proudly owning three Queens properties and a whole bunch of hundreds of {dollars} in shares.
Below metropolis regulation, submitting a monetary disclosure multiple week after it’s due can topic officers to a superb “ranging from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $10,000,” with the “length of the delay in filing” being key in assessing penalties. The regulation additionally states the conflicts board should alert the Division of Investigation “within two months” of an official’s failure to file. Banks’ two-month overdue date is Feb. 4.
Citing confidentiality protocols, Miller declined to say whether or not the board has levied a superb towards Banks or alerted the DOI. A spokeswoman for the DOI, which is working with the feds on corruption investigations which have ensnared Banks and different prime Adams advisers, declined to remark.
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Each day Information
Phil Banks and Mayor Adams at Metropolis Corridor. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Each day Information)
Banks, who hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing by any regulation enforcement companies, didn’t return a request for remark.
Reached by telephone, Benjamin Brafman, Banks’ lawyer, mentioned he has “no idea” why Banks didn’t file his disclosure on time or why his title was faraway from the policymaker checklist.
Talking of the feds who raided Banks’ house, Brafman added: “I’m told continuously that he is not a target of their investigation.”
Metropolis authorities ethics knowledgeable Richard Briffault mentioned he has by no means heard of a deputy mayor like Banks being faraway from the policymaker checklist. “It seems weird, and it seems hard to justify,” mentioned Briffault, who was once the Conflicts of Curiosity Board’s chairman.
Along with monetary disclosure necessities, officers on the policymaker checklist are barred from soliciting marketing campaign contributions on behalf of political candidates.
Federal investigators raided Banks’ Queens house on Sept. 4 and seized his electronics as a part of a corruption probe that sources say is scrutinizing influence-peddling and kickbacks on metropolis contracts. On the identical day, the feds searched the properties of Faculties Chancellor David Banks, Phil’s older brother, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, senior Adams public security adviser Tim Pearson and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban.
All of these officers have since resigned; none have been charged in any proceedings.
Shawn Inglima for New York Each day Information
Faculties Chancellor David Banks embraces his companion, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, on Sept. 25, 2024. Each have since resigned. (Shawn Inglima for New York Each day Information)
It stays unclear who the targets is perhaps of the corruption probes entangling Banks and the opposite ex-Adams aides. The probes are being led by the Manhattan U.S. legal professional’s workplace.
These inquiries are separate from the investigation that resulted in Adams’ indictment on expenses alleging he took bribes and unlawful marketing campaign money from Turkish authorities operatives in alternate for political favors. Adams has pleaded not responsible and is meant to face trial in April.
Banks, an ex-NYPD chief with a controversial historical past who has recognized Adams for many years, held immense sway over the police division whereas serving as deputy mayor.
Initially Printed: January 24, 2025 at 3:47 PM EST
