Federal Subpoena Hits NYC Department of Education Amidst Adams Administration Investigations

Feds Subpoena NYC Department of Education Amidst Adams Administration Investigations

The New York City Department of Education (DOE) has been served with a federal subpoena as part of a probe into former Schools Chancellor David Banks and his brother, Terence Banks. The subpoena seeks documents related to both Banks and his brother, a consultant who represented companies awarded lucrative contracts with the city. The investigation specifically focused on documents from the DOE's operations and finance office, led by Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra.

The subpoena comes after a federal raid on the NYPD’s School Safety Division headquarters, which also sought information related to Terence Banks' dealings. The investigation centers on a tech company called SaferWatch, a client of Terence Banks, which secured contracts with the city for its “panic button” app. The company received nearly $68,000 in city funds over four pilot deals initiated in August 2023.

This investigation is one of many that have embroiled Mayor Eric Adams' administration in controversy, including raids, subpoenas, resignations, and the indictment of the mayor himself. The DOE has denied that Vadehra was directly served with a subpoena but has not denied that one was served to the department. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure> <img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/new-york-city-department-education-84390281.jpg?w=1024" alt="New York City Education Chancellor David C. Banks speaking at a press conference on the future of NYC public schools in the Bronx, June 24, 2024"> <figcaption>Banks announced his retirement from the top post in the Department of Education on Sept. 25, just weeks after the feds raided his home — but he was ousted by Eric Adams in October.</figcaption> </figure><figure> <img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/chief-operating-officer-deputy-chancellor-91455835.jpg?w=1024" alt="Emma Vadehra, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chancellor for Operations and Finance at NYC Department of Education"> <figcaption>The search focused on documents from the department’s operations and finance office&nbsp;run by deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra.</figcaption> </figure><figure> <img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/former-nyc-schools-chancellor-91455214.jpg?w=813" alt="Terence Banks, brother of former NYC schools Chancellor David Banks"> <figcaption>David Banks and his brother, Terrence, are involved in the growing numbers of scandals at City Hall</figcaption> </figure>