OEM boss worries fed probes could distract city leadership, undermine public safety: report

The series of federal probes into the Adams administration could critically undermine the city’s ability to keep New Yorkers safe, warned the boss of the Office of Emergency Management.Commissioner Zach Iscol candidly told senior OEM staff Friday on a private call that the onslaught of investigations and raids this week could prove to be a distraction among the administration’s leadership.“This is not good,” he said, according to a recording of the meeting obtained by The Associated Press.“There’s a lot going on in the city and the thing that I’m most concerned about is city leadership being distracted,” said Iscol, who added he had not spoken to City Hall leadership yet.OEM, which handles the city’s emergency procedures, is part of the portfolio handled by Deputy Mayor Philip Banks III, whose home was raided and phones seized by the feds this week.Councilman Bob Holden (D-Queens) — who earlier this week called on Police Commissioner Edward Caban to resign after federal agents seized his phones as well during a raid, in addition to those of other members of the NYPD — said he shared Iscol’s concerns.With the investigations looming, leaders like Caban are almost likely to feel less confident in their own decision-making “so that’ll take its toll on public safety.”“If you’re under investigation, are you going to be as confident, as focused?” he told The Post.“Public safety is paramount in New York City — especially now — and we need all hands on deck,” he added.“You can’t be operating at 100% with a federal probe hanging over your head.”Other top officials in the administration whose devices were seized in recent days include Police Commissioner Edward Caban; First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright; Banks’ brother, David Banks, the city’s schools chancellor.Another top Adams aide – retired NYPD inspector Timothy Pearson – also had his phones subpoenaed, according to the sources.None have been accused of any crime.T...