The Far Rockaway dwelling of the pastor was raided about two weeks in the past as a part of an investigation led by the Brooklyn U.S. legal professional’s workplace, two sources aware of the matter mentioned Tuesday.
It wasn’t instantly clear what investigators took from Cockfield’s dwelling, and a spokesman for Brooklyn U.S. Legal professional Breon Peace declined to debate what prompted the raid. Cockfield didn’t instantly return a request for remark.
In keeping with the New York Instances, the raid was a part of an investigation into Striving for a Higher New York, a PAC that Cockfield launched in 2021 to help Adams. Metropolis Corridor referred inquiries to Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, who couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.
Though the Cockfield PAC was launched to help political causes aligned with Adams’ agenda, public disclosures present it pays Cockfield a six-figure wage. The PAC additionally contributed $60,000 to a constitution college in Brooklyn operated by Cockfield, filings present.
The PAC additionally paid six figures in compensation to Brianna Suggs, Adams’ longtime marketing campaign fundraiser whose dwelling was raided in November 2023 as a part of the federal investigation into the mayor’s Turkish authorities connections that resulted in his current indictment on corruption fees.
Cockfield has lengthy been shut with Adams and different politicians, together with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who appointed the pastor to the Lengthy Island Energy Authority’s board of trustees in 2021.
Extra lately, Cockfield appeared with Adams exterior Gracie Mansion on Sept. 26 with a bunch of religion leaders voicing solidarity with him within the wake of his legal indictment. Adams has pleaed not responsible to corruption fees introduced by outgoing Manhattan U.S. Legal professional Damian Williams. Plenty of Adams’ former high aides have additionally been ensnared in federal probes.
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams talks to the press exterior Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor of New York Metropolis, on September 26, 2024, after he was indicted on federal legal fees. (Picture by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/POOL/AFP through Getty Pictures)
It isn’t clear if the lodge raid is a part of the identical probe that prompted the search of Cockfield’s dwelling. The Brooklyn U.S. legal professional’s workplace can be conducting an investigation throughout which they raided properties related to Winnie Greco, a key adviser to the mayor who’s shut with Hu.
Initially Revealed: November 26, 2024 at 6:58 PM EST
