The Far Rockaway residence of the pastor was raided about two weeks in the past as a part of an investigation led by the Brooklyn U.S. lawyer’s workplace, two sources conversant in the matter mentioned Tuesday.
It wasn’t instantly clear what investigators took from Cockfield’s residence, 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.
Based on the New York Occasions, 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 faculty in Brooklyn operated by Cockfield, filings present.
The PAC additionally paid six figures in compensation to Brianna Suggs, Adams’ longtime marketing campaign fundraiser whose residence 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 expenses.
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 just lately, Cockfield appeared with Adams outdoors Gracie Mansion on Sept. 26 with a gaggle of religion leaders voicing solidarity with him within the wake of his legal indictment. Adams has pleaed not responsible to corruption expenses introduced by outgoing Manhattan U.S. Legal professional Damian Williams. Various Adams’ former prime aides have additionally been ensnared in federal probes.
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams talks to the press outdoors Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor of New York Metropolis, on September 26, 2024, after he was indicted on federal legal expenses. (Picture by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/POOL/AFP through Getty Photos)
It isn’t clear if the resort raid is a part of the identical probe that prompted the search of Cockfield’s residence. The Brooklyn U.S. lawyer’s workplace can also 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
