On Monday, a notable shift occurred in New York City as four senior aides to Mayor Eric Adams announced their resignations, adding to the ongoing controversies that have surrounded his administration. Their departure creates a substantial void in the city’s leadership structure.
This turn of events follows a decision by the Justice Department on February 10, which directed federal prosecutors to drop corruption allegations against Adams. Officials cited that the ongoing case was obstructing the Democratic mayor’s ability to effectively carry out President Biden’s initiatives, particularly those related to illegal immigration enforcement.
The corruption charges against Adams originated in September and are linked to actions taken during his time as Brooklyn borough president back in 2014.
Read More: Breaking Down the Charges: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Bribery Allegations
Among those resigning are First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer and Deputy Mayors Meera Joshi, Anne Williams-Isom, and Chauncey Parker. Their resignations come at a time when pressure is mounting on Governor Kathy Hochul to either dismiss Adams or call for his voluntary resignation.
Their exit follows last week’s resignation of U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, along with five senior Justice Department officials, after Sassoon refused to retract the charges against Adams.
The mayor’s office confirmed the resignations in a statement to NBC New York, commending the departing aides as “remarkable public servants who have significantly contributed to the evolution of New York City.”
The statement elaborated, “Together, we have achieved unprecedented housing milestones, generated the highest number of jobs in the city’s history, supported countless New Yorkers and migrants, developed exceptional public spaces, and improved safety across the board. New Yorkers owe them a great deal of appreciation for their service to our city.”
Reports suggest that Adams attempted to persuade the aides to reconsider their resignations during a Zoom call over the weekend, but they ultimately decided to move forward with their choice.
Joshi, who held the position of Deputy Mayor of Operations, reportedly sent an email to agency commissioners conveying a collective message from the resigning deputies.
“In light of the extraordinary events of recent weeks and to honor the commitments we made to serve both New Yorkers and our families, we have made the difficult decision to resign from our roles,” the statement expressed.
TIME has reached out to the Mayor’s office for additional comments.
