Mayor Eric Adams continues to face blows in the development of his administration, and just as his inner circle, like himself, are being investigated by federal authorities, the president began the week with another official jumping ship, putting his administration further in the eye of the storm. Following the resignation last week of NYPD Commissioner Edward Cabán, which observers predict could be the start of a stampede that could shake Adams’s office, is added the departure of the mayor’s chief attorney, Lisa Zomberg, who resigned stating, without specific details, that “she had come to the conclusion that she could not effectively perform the position.”
And although Adams was questioned on Monday about the effect that the resignation of prominent officials in his administration will have, who allegedly gave him advice that he ignored, the mayor assured that the City will continue to move forward with talented members who exist in different offices.
“There’s one thing about city government. There’s a deep bench. There are some great people who are in the assessor’s office and I’m having my conversations with them now. They’re dedicated public servants and they’re going to continue to do the work that they’re doing because there’s a calling to do this work,” the mayor said at a housing news conference. “They’re not doing this work because they’re seeking fame and fortune. They’re doing it because they believe in the people that they’re helping every day. And we’ve got some talented people that are there. They’re going to continue to do the work.”
The mayor did not reveal the exact reasons that led the jurist to step aside, and tried to dismiss the accusations that the recent shocks are having on his administration, events that many detractors insist will affect his work in office for the remainder of his term.
“These are tough jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever… People make decisions and I respect the decisions that people make,” the Democrat said, stressing that he will not say anything publicly about the conversations they had about his departure. “She has been a great advisor. There are many things that she advised us on and we move forward. But I’m not going to get into the private conversations that the two of us had. I really like Lisa.”
Eric Adams in the eye of the storm. Photo Edwin Martinez
Adams was also asked if he will try to “clean house” amid the investigations by authorities into alleged acts of corruption and mismanagement of functions, which, although no criminal charges have yet been filed against any official in Adams’ inner circle, does have the city’s first deputy mayor, Sheena Wright, schools chief David Banks, and deputy mayor for public safety Phil Banks III, among others, under scrutiny.
“I’m looking to continue to do this, and that’s a win-win for New Yorkers. And I think when I reached out to previous mayors, they all said, Eric, there are going to be times when you can get distracted from doing this job. This is a big city and there’s so much going on. Things that happened in previous administrations play out in your administration. But can you maintain the focus to keep moving forward on the ground? And that’s what this administration has been successful in doing,” said the mayor, who is now also facing questions over alleged corrupt acts by Fire Department officials who were linked to that agency before Adams took office.
Amid the political tsunami that has been building around Adams, official voices have already begun to be raised calling for his resignation, including Queens Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán, who, despite admitting that the Mayor has not been accused of irregularities, considers that the scandals surrounding his officials are a distraction that prevents him from managing as he should.
“Eric Adams leads with corruption and mismanagement. At least 15 of his associates are under investigation. If his record of cutting critical services and empowering the abuses of the NYPD wasn’t enough, it is clearer than ever that Eric Adams is unfit to govern,” the lawmaker said.
