In a striking development, FBI agents conducted a raid on a downtown Manhattan office building on Wednesday, focusing on two high-profile mayoral advisors, both of whom are former police officers.

The agents made their presence known by signing into the visitors log at approximately 1:30 p.m. for the records section located on the 16th floor of 375 Pearl St., commonly referred to as the Verizon Building.

The individuals at the center of this investigation are NYPD Deputy Mayor Phil Banks and mayoral aide Timothy Pearson, both of whom work on the same floor.

The federal agents’ investigation is reportedly centered around potential bribery concerning promotions and transfers within the NYPD. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that both Pearson and Banks have played significant roles in the promotion and transfer processes within the department.

In NYPD parlance, these promotions and transfers are often referred to as “contracts,” a term that has been associated with allegations of preferential treatment for friends and family, particularly in a profession known for its deep-rooted familial connections.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, earlier this month, federal authorities seized phones belonging to Banks, Pearson, and former Police Commissioner Edward Caban. Moreover, the investigation has extended to six other NYPD officials closely linked with Caban, including his chief of staff Raul Pintos, two precinct commanders, a lieutenant, and two detectives who are part of Caban’s detail.

As of now, no members of the Police Department have been arrested or charged in connection with the investigation. However, the situation has raised eyebrows within the department. Earlier this year, the NYPD’s Technical Assistance Response Unit began receiving regular requests from high-ranking officials at One Police Plaza to sweep their offices for potential listening devices, according to an NYPD source and another individual familiar with the ongoing probe.

“It’s shady if you’re being investigated by the feds,” remarked a source with knowledge of the investigation, highlighting the unease permeating the department.

In a further indication of the seriousness of the investigation, federal agents served the NYPD with a preservation letter on September 6, instructing them not to destroy any electronic files, signaling that the inquiry is far from over. As the investigation unfolds, the implications for those involved could be significant, potentially shaking the foundations of the NYPD and the mayor’s office.