Less than two weeks ago, Mayor Eric Adams spoke in glowing terms about his relationship with his family, which has helped define his administration, for better or worse.
“The Banks family is my family,” Adams said. “They are not only good public servants, they are also good human beings.”
The mayor’s first appointees also included Chancellor David Banks and his then-partner, Sheena Wright, now his wife and Mr Adams’ first deputy mayor. Despite the scandal that ruined his 27-year career with the NYPD, he selected Phil Banks, David’s younger brother, to be deputy mayor of public safety.
Mr. Adams and his inner circle, including the Banks family, have remained fiercely loyal to each other throughout their time in city government. The mayor has stood by his supporters in recent months as federal authorities have surrounded them, confiscated their cellphones as part of multiple investigations and issued subpoenas for information. Ta.
But now a series of departures, including that of the Banks brothers, suggest that bond may be breaking. David Banks was already scheduled to retire when Adams moved up his final day. Multiple sources told Gothamist that Wright is expected to resign as of Friday. Then there was the resignation of Phil Banks.
Even before Adams was indicted, Wright and David Banks were involved in the school’s efforts to implement a cell phone ban, according to people close to city officials who were not authorized to speak publicly. It is said that he had expressed his dissatisfaction with the mayor over policy issues such as the university president’s attempt. .
A source said that Ms. Wright recently said she was upset that her husband’s resignation had been brought forward.
Their departure came after Gov. Kathy Hochul informally urged Adams to clean house.
“We expect change,” Hochul told reporters last week. “It’s no secret, and change is beginning.”
On Monday, Politico reported that three other members of the mayor’s inner circle are also leaving. Among them are two people who are under federal investigation. Winnie Greco, a senior adviser who served as a liaison to the Chinese community, and Lana Abbasova, an aide who helped connect Adams with the Turkish community.
But the hasty departure of those closest to the mayor has exacerbated the crisis at City Hall rather than alleviating it. Adams, who also faces federal corruption charges and recent polls show nearly 70% of New Yorkers want him to resign, is still in control. They became even more of a distraction when I was trying to show off.
“This is a steady attrition, and City Hall is much weaker than it was before,” said George Arzt, who served as press secretary for former Mayor Ed Koch.
Legal experts say Mr. Adams’ break with former aides and aides who are under federal surveillance could also put him in further danger.
Former federal prosecutor Carey Cohen said, “If they are being put at risk by their own actions, we should work together to provide truthful information about the potential criminal conduct of those above us.” That’s one way,” he said.
Last week, prosecutors told a judge they may bring further charges against the mayor.
In each case, the mayor has portrayed the resignations of his aides as his own decisions, with the exception of David Banks, whose early departure date was at Adams’s behest.
Hochul first requested that the number of personnel be reduced when indicting Adams. Since then, the mayor’s inner circle has all but collapsed.
First up was Tim Pearson, one of the mayor’s top advisors and a central figure in multiple lawsuits and investigations. He submitted his resignation on September 30th. Two days later, Hochul told reporters that Pearson’s resignation was a “good first step,” emphasizing the word “first.”
The Banks family resigned soon after.
As of Monday afternoon, Hochul had yet to publicly indicate whether this round of departures was enough to satisfy her. Spokesman Anthony Hogreb said the governor and mayor have had “numerous conversations over the past few days.”
“While we will not comment on the details of these discussions, the mayor is aware of the governor’s priorities.”
Adams on Monday pushed back against claims that the governor was pressuring him to oust aides. He described Hochul as a “partner.”
Over the past three years, Mr. Hochul and Mr. Adams have been key allies, publicly announcing their strong opinions at every opportunity as a way to distance themselves from the dysfunctional relationship shared by previous governors and mayors. They have been promoting their relationship.
Notably, Hocolu did not call on Adams to resign after accusing him of accepting lavish travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals who relied on his favor. .
Up to this point, Adams has been partially buoyed by the support of New York City’s black civic leaders, who have emphasized the right to due process. Many of them are also allied with Hochul, including the Rev. Al Sharpton and longtime New York NAACP president Hazel Dukes.
The Rev. Kirsten John Foy, founder of the nonprofit group Arc of Justice, is among those calling on Hochul to allow Adams to spend his time in court. He and other black leaders are furious with some politicians who have rushed to demand the mayor’s resignation, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, a Manhattan Democrat who is the leader of the state’s congressional delegation.
In an interview with Gothamist, Foy admitted that Hochul is in a “predicament.”
“She has to show that she cares enough about the governance of New York City, but she can’t go too far, go too far, or get out of her lane,” Foy said. “To everyone, through the good, the bad and the ugly, Eric Adams is the duly elected mayor of New York, and it is true that simply removing him or undermining his position is… “This would override the will of the voters.”