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As Schools Chancellor Bows Out, Adams Dodges Questions About Plethora of Probes ()
Mayor Eric Adams was on the defensive during his weekly press conference following a bruising seven days of reporting on federal probes surrounding City Hall — while several members of his administration were conspicuously absent.
He insisted the sprawling investigations and high-profile exits won’t stop him from doing his job, recruiting good talent, or being re-elected.
“My job is to deliver for the people of this city and to stay focused,” Adams said.
His statements came just hours before PIX11 posted a letter of resignation from schools chancellor David Banks — a close ally of Adams’ who was among the members of his administration targeted in a Sept. 4 wave of federal law enforcement search raids that also hit Banks’ brothers, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks and Terence Banks, a consultant to companies seeking city business.
Since the mayor’s last “off-topic” media briefing on Sept. 17, the feds have subpoenaed his asylum-seeker czar, Molly Schaeffer and searched the homes of interim NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon — who came in to replace Eddie Caban, who resigned in the face of federal investigations earlier this month.
On Friday, Politico first reported that city Sheriff Anthony Miranda also faces a Department of Investigation probe and on Monday the Daily News confirmed that it is related to smoke shop raids.
Also on Monday, the New York Times reported that federal investigators are looking into at least six countries’ connection to the Adams mayoral campaign and possible illegal foreign donations.
That same day, city Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said he would be leaving at the end of the year to spend more time with his family.
The Evidence of Absence
At his Tuesday media briefing, Adams had no administration lawyers present, following the abrupt departures of general counsel Lisa Zornberg last week and corporation counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix in May.
Also absent was First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, whose home — that she shares with Banks — was raided by federal authorities on Sept. 4.
And chief advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin has ostensibly been on vacation in Japan for more than a week.
The absence of Lewis-Martin at the Tuesday presser for the second week in a row fueled long-standing rumors that she’s headed for the exit, although Adams denied that.
Reached overseas by THE CITY and asked about chatter that she was looking to escape the embattled administration, Lewis-Martin said “I have made it clear from day one that I am not doing eight years.”
When she is ready to leave, she added, “I will let everyone know. It will not be a secret.”
Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Philip Banks, whose home was raided in early September, was missing from the news briefing as well, but he rarely shows up.
Faced with repeated questions about the appearance of staffers abandoning a sinking ship, Adams said the turnover was natural and had insisted he had no shortage of competent replacements.
“City Hall is a deep bench and we have a reservoir of talent in this city,” he said. “We’re not going to have a problem filling any of these positions, people want to be in city government.”
He announced he planned to bring on Rory Whelan, who he knew as a longtime staffer in the state senator, for an not-yet-announced role. Whelan currently serves as a regional vice president for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.
Mounting Malfeasance
Meanwhile, reporting on his administration and those who’ve had their phones seized by the feds continues.
On Sunday, THE CITY reported that Adams senior advisor Tim Pearson — who is also federal investigation — delayed a migrant contract for months, blocking services to asylum seekers.
Then on Monday, THE CITY revealed that a security firm once owned by Phil Banks was able to get on a city list that makes it easier to get coveted municipal contracts.
Adams on Tuesday did not answer questions on Banks’ role in the company, called Overwatch, and whether he could provide documentation showing he was no longer financially involved.
The mayor’s spokespeople did not respond to an email asking for any proof of his dissolution.
Federal investigators have also seized the phones of Terence Banks, brother to Phil and David, and an employee of Florida-based tech firm Saferwatch — suggesting the probe goes beyond just contracts related to the migrant crisis.
Adams also didn’t answer questions on Pearson, including specifics on how he may have saved the city money overseeing migrant contracts.
Additional reporting by Gwynne Hogan
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