New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban has resigned amid an ongoing investigation into corruption linked to his twin brother.
Caban, a career police officer who served under New York Mayor Eric Adams in the 1990s, announced his resignation in a letter to all officers on Thursday.
Last week, federal investigators seized his phone and the devices of other senior officials.
The investigation is based on his relationship with his twin brother, James. According to The New York Daily News, James is under investigation for allegedly selling favors to the nightclubs he works for as a consultant.
New York Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban resigned amid ongoing corruption investigation
James, a former police officer, is known for being the “fixer” between the city and high-end hospitality venues.
The New York Post James would reportedly accept softer treatment from the NYPD if any of the hot spots got into trouble with the law.
“It wasn’t like an old-school mob thing, like, ‘If you don’t pay, we’ll break your windows.’ But it was like, ‘My brother is a big shot and he can make your fines and underage drinking go away,'” one source said.
James, a security expert, is suspected of peddling police favoritism to nightclubs, using his closeness to his brother to ensure their protection.
Whenever he’s in the city, he’s taken under NYPD protection to keep him safe from bad actors who might mistake him for his powerful brother.
Caban insists that the protective measure is necessary, but that neither he nor his brother have acted wrongly.
In his resignation letter, Caban said the solemnity of the 9/11 anniversary yesterday reminded him of the “unwavering dedication and resilience” of the New York Police Department.
‘My complete focus has always been on the New York Police Department – the department and the people I love and to whom I have dedicated more than 30 years of service.
The commissioner has become embroiled in an investigation into his twin brother James, a security consultant suspected of selling preferential police treatment to New York nightclubs.
‘However, news of recent events has created a distraction for our department, and I am unwilling to allow my attention to be focused on anything other than our important work or the safety of the men and women of the New York Police Department.
‘I have immense respect and gratitude for the brave officers who serve in this department, and the NYPD deserves someone who can focus solely on protecting and serving New York City, so for the good of this city and this department, I have made the difficult decision to resign as Police Commissioner.
‘Thank you for the trust you have placed in me and for the opportunity you have given me to serve alongside the members of this great department.
“I am convinced that we have the best police force in the world and I have complete confidence in the leadership of the New York Police Department.”
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