Top aide to former Mayor Eric Adams arrested: sources

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NEW YORK (WPIX) – Frank Carone, who served as the former chief of staff to Mayor Eric Adams, was taken into custody on Wednesday morning, sources familiar with the matter told Nexstar’s WPIX.

Carone and his brother were apprehended in connection with corruption and bribery allegations, the sources said. Additionally, the FBI raided the residences of former NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, former NYPD Assistant Chief James McCarthy, and former NYPD Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard on Wednesday, according to the sources.

Todd Shapiro, spokesperson for former mayor Eric Adams, released a statement following the arrests.

“Frank Carone has dedicated decades of his life to public service, the legal profession, and helping countless individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations throughout New York,” Shaprio said. “This is an ongoing legal matter, and my prayers are with his family.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the raids on X, writing: “This morning, members of the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau and the FBI executed search warrants as part of a criminal investigation being pursued by the NYPD, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The investigation is ongoing and concerns conduct by former and current members of the NYPD.”

Carone was previously investigated in 2024 for possible dealings with a priest at a church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The priest, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, was relieved of “any pastoral oversight or governance role” at his church, which is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, Bishop Robert Brennan said in a statement issued by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.

From 2019 to 2021, the monsignor also transferred $1.9 million in parish funds to bank accounts affiliated with Frank Carone, Brennan said. The bishop said Gigantiello failed to seek prior approval for the transactions and didn’t properly document them, in violation of the diocese’s investment policies and protocols.

Carone’s law firm repaid $1 million of the funds, along with about 9% interest, according to Brennan. Gigantiello also requested early repayment for the remainder, but without the substantial interest called for under the loan notes, the bishop said.

This is not the first time that former Mayor Adams and other top aides have faced bribery and corruption allegations. Former top aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin was accused of exchanging political favors for cash, home renovations, and a speaking role on a TV show. Former top aide Winnie Greco allegedly handed a reporter for THE CITY a potato chip bag stuffed with cash in August 2025. And Adams, himself, had a federal bribery case dismissed in 2025.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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