FBI Raids Offices of New York City Police Sergeants Union

Tuesday, October 5, 2021 1:00 pm | 2 Minute Read

In this May 31, 2017, file photo, Sgt. Ed Mullins, the head of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, center, speaks to the media outside of the Bronx Supreme Court in the Bronx borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Federal agents on Tuesday raided the offices of a New York City police union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, and the Long Island home of its bombastic leader, who has clashed repeatedly with city officials over his incendiary tweets and hard-line tactics.

An FBI spokesperson said agents were “carrying out a law enforcement action in connection with an ongoing investigation.” The spokesperson said he could not give details of the investigation.

Along with the union’s Manhattan headquarters, agents also searched union president Ed Mullins’ home in Port Washington, Long Island.

Messages seeking comment were left with Mullins and the union.

Mullins, who is also a police sergeant, is in the middle of department disciplinary proceedings for tweeting NYPD paperwork last year pertaining to the arrest of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s daughter during protests over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd.

Mullins is also suing the department, claiming they were trying to muzzle him by grilling him and recommending disciplinary action over his online missives.

Mullins’ department trial for the alleged paperwork breach began last month but was postponed indefinitely after one of his lawyers suffered a medical emergency.

Mullins’ lawyer denies he violated department guidelines, arguing paperwork with Chiara de Blasio’s personal identifying information, such as her date of birth and address, was already posted online.

Asked about the raid Tuesday, Mayor de Blasio told reporters he didn’t have enough information to comment.

“I think he’s been a divisive voice,” de Blasio said of Mullins. “But that doesn’t cause me to feel anything in this situation because I don’t know what’s happening. All I hear is an FBI raid. I don’t know the specifics, I don’t know who it’s directed at. I want to really hear the details before I comment further.”

The Sergeants Benevolent Association represents about 13,000 active and retired New York police sergeants, a rank above police officer and detective but below captain and lieutenant.

Under Mullins’ nearly two decades of leadership, the union has fought for better pay — with contracts resulting in pay increases of 40% — and staked a prominent position in the anti-reform movement.