A federal investigation has issued a subpoena for the phones of a number of New York Police Department (NYPD) lieutenants who were assigned to handle grievances against bars. This operation is part of an expanding investigation into an alleged scheme linked to the brother of former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, who resigned last Friday, according to insider information.
These particular NYPD lieutenants are part of the special operations unit, tasked with identifying and addressing misconduct that impacts the quality of life in neighborhoods, mainly through responses to calls made to the 311 hotline. The scandal in question revolves around James Caban, Edward Caban’s identical twin brother.
There are allegations that lieutenants were directed to go soft on bars that were associated with James Caban, the former commissioner’s twin. He was also a one-time NYPD officer and the instruction given to the cops was to avoid law enforcement measures and try to broker a resolution instead, a source revealed.
Issues such as noise violations, excessive crowd problems, drinking in public areas, and even individuals engaging in lewd behavior in their cars, all contribute to the disturbance of the neighborhood, added the insider. It was this disruptive behavior that was supposedly included in the ‘mediation’ directives.
The situation came to light after a bar proprietor from Brooklyn, Shamel Kelly, revealed in an interview with NBC New York that last summer James Caban attempted to blackmail him. Kelly is the owner of Juice & Moore, a bar located on Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island.
Kelly offered a narrative of needing a reprieve from the increased police interest in his bar. He turned to City Hall for assistance, where he was introduced to James Caban by a member of the mayoral staff. Juice & Moore, a versatile establishment that served juice during the day and alcoholic beverages during weekend nights, had been a hotspot for multiple noise complaints, as exhibited by records.
James Caban purportedly promised Kelly that for a fee, he would be able to handle his law enforcement-related issues. Kelly was asked to pay $2500 to ensure his problems with the NYPD would be moderated, as per his allegations. ‘He proposed arranging a meeting with the police to mediate and resolve the issues I was encountering,’ Kelly shared with the news station.
Kelly’s shock came when James Caban demanded payment for his services. ‘When he demanded that I had to pay him for this, it felt like he was attempting to blackmail me.’ His response was to withdraw from the proposed arrangement and his bar was eventually shut down.
The saga took another turn with the firing of Ray Martin, the mayoral staffer who Kelly said introduced him to James Caban, over his alleged role in the scandal. Both the Caban brothers, along with several senior members of the NYPD and the mayor, had their phones confiscated by federal agents, though no charges have been pressed against them.
Stepping into the role of the police commissioner following these tumultuous events is Thomas Donlon, an ex-FBI official. He was sworn into the post last Friday, marking the start of tough task of restoring faith in the NYPD leadership.
Edward Caban had left his mark on history as the first Hispanic ever appointed to the position of NYPD commissioner in 2023, which was hailed as a significant step. During his tenure, he had put his commitment against criminal activities at the forefront of his efforts.
In Edward Caban’s period at the helm, statistical data demonstrated a decline in significant crimes, including homicides. His resignation has therefore seen a leader committed to curbing crime exit the scene, leaving an uncertain future.