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Federal agents seized phones from New York City schools Chancellor David Banks and his partner, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, early Wednesday at their Harlem home, the New York Times reported.

Federal agents also seized devices at the Queens home of Banks鈥� brother, Phil Banks, also a top aide to Mayor Eric Adams. Agents searched the home of a third Banks brother, Terence Banks, who retired from the MTA and now works as a consultant, according to the . THE CITY some of the moves made by federal agents.

In a statement on Friday, Chancellor Banks confirmed he was cooperating with 鈥渁 federal inquiry.鈥�

鈥淵esterday was the first day of school for the 1.1 million students and staff of New York City Public Schools, and I remain focused on ensuring they have safe, academically rigorous, and joyful school year,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am confirming that I am cooperating with a federal inquiry. At this time, I cannot comment any further on that matter.鈥�

None of the officials have been accused of a crime, according to the New York Times.

The news of federal agents鈥� arrival at the doorstep of the schools chancellor came Thursday, on , casting a cloud over the typically ebullient first-day-of-school mood.

As he left a visit from a Queens high school Thursday afternoon, Chancellor Banks , 鈥淭oday is the first day of school, it is all about the kids. If there鈥檚 any other comments that are made, it will be happening tomorrow.鈥�

Several Education Department staffers said news of the federal agents鈥� moves spread quickly in education circles Thursday. Multiple sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Education Department employees were shocked by both the news and timing, as the nation鈥檚 largest school system on Thursday.

Aaron Pallas, a Teachers College professor and longtime observer of the city鈥檚 Education Department, said the incident could impact Banks鈥� work leading the nation鈥檚 largest school system.

鈥淎nything that can distract them from staying focused on the task at hand could impede their effectiveness,鈥� he said.

Wednesday鈥檚 activity was the latest move in a swirl of law enforcement inquiries surrounding Adams, his administration, and his campaign. Federal officials are also . The New York Times that the federal campaign inquiry was separate from the matter that federal agents were looking into Wednesday.

Meanwhile, search warrants were also executed on NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and Tim Pearson, a top mayoral aide embroiled in , New York 1 .

鈥淚nvestigators have not indicated to us [that] the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation,鈥� Adams鈥� chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, told THE CITY in a statement. 鈥淎s a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made clear that all members of the team need to follow the law.鈥�

As he left City Hall on Thursday, Adams also told reporters that he had 鈥渃onfidence in the team,鈥� according to THE CITY. 鈥淭he goal is to follow the law and that is what this administration always stood for and what we鈥檙e going to continue to stand for,鈥� he said.

Chancellor Banks is a core member of the unusually of the Adams administration. Banks and Adams have years, and their family and professional lives are intertwined. Adams鈥� girlfriend, , and his sister-in-law, , both work in the city Education Department.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

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