NY Mayor Eric Adams Accepts Deputy’s Resignation Amid Scandal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ New York City Mayor Eric Adams accepted the resignation of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, the latest senior official to depart as Adams deals with legal challenges, including an indictment over illegal campaign contributions. Two other officials, Winnie Greco and Rana Abbasova, have also left the administration amid federal investigations. Adams has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to continue governing despite growing pressure and the exodus of top aides.
Eric Adams Faces Leadership Crisis: Quick Looks
- Deputy Mayor Philip Banks resigns amid federal investigations involving Mayor Adams and other top officials.
- Winnie Greco, Director of Asian Affairs, also resigns as the administration faces mounting scrutiny.
- Federal investigations probe potential bribery, illegal campaign contributions, and abuse of city contracts.
- Adams defends his administration, refusing calls to step down and vowing to prove his innocence.
- Governor Kathy Hochul and other officials increase pressure on Adams to cut ties with individuals caught in the investigations.
Deep Look:
Embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday that he had accepted the resignation of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, marking the latest in a string of high-profile departures from his administration. The resignations come amid a widening federal investigation into alleged corruption, including illegal campaign contributions, that has cast a cloud over Adams’ tenure and prompted calls for him to step down.
Along with Banks, two other key figures have exited City Hall in recent days. Winnie Greco, the mayor’s Director of Asian Affairs, resigned, and Rana Abbasova, a former aide who served as a liaison to the Turkish community, was fired. Federal investigators have seized electronic devices from all three officials, as well as several other top city appointees, as part of separate investigations that have rattled Adams’ administration.
Philip Banks’ Resignation and Family Connections
Philip Banks, a longtime friend of Adams and a major figure in New York City’s public safety strategy, told the mayor on Sunday that he was stepping down to avoid becoming a distraction. “He wants to transition to some other things,” Adams said in an interview with NY1. “He doesn’t want this to be a constant burden on the work we’re doing in the city.”
Banks’ resignation comes just days after his brother, New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks, announced his own early departure. A third Banks brother, Terence, is also facing scrutiny from federal investigators over his consulting firm’s alleged involvement in helping private companies secure city contracts, according to sources familiar with the investigation. While all three brothers have denied any wrongdoing, the investigations have led to mounting legal and political pressure on Adams’ administration.
Philip Banks’ legal troubles date back to his time as the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) highest-ranking uniformed officer, when he resigned in 2014 after being implicated in a separate corruption scandal. Though Banks was never charged, he was named an unindicted co-conspirator and later admitted to accepting gifts from businessmen convicted of bribing officials. Despite this controversial history, Adams appointed him as deputy mayor in 2022, giving him broad oversight of New York’s police and fire departments.
Resignations Amid Federal Investigations
The exodus of senior officials from Adams’ administration extends beyond the Banks family. Winnie Greco, who served as the mayor’s point of contact with New York’s Chinese American community, also resigned amid investigations into her fundraising activities. Greco had been instrumental in organizing fundraisers that brought in tens of thousands of dollars for Adams’ campaigns over the past decade. She accompanied Adams on several trips to China during his time as Brooklyn Borough President and continued to play a key role in his administration as the Director of Asian American Affairs, earning a salary of $196,000 annually.
Greco came under investigation in November 2023 when the city’s Department of Investigation launched a probe into her political fundraising activities, including whether she used her position for personal gain. Federal agents later searched two of her properties and a popular Asian food court in Flushing, Queens, where Adams had held multiple campaign events. These fundraisers drew a series of $249 donations, a figure that maximized eligibility for New York City’s matching funds program—a key component of the campaign finance allegations Adams now faces.
Rana Abbasova, a former liaison to the Turkish community in Adams’ administration, was fired this week. Abbasova had previously been put on leave when news of the federal probe first broke in November 2023. She is believed to be the former aide described in Adams’ indictment, accused of helping the mayor funnel illegal donations from foreign nationals into his campaign. Adams has denied knowing about the scheme, with his attorney, Alex Spiro, accusing Abbasova of misleading investigators for personal gain.
Federal Investigations and Political Fallout
The federal investigations that have shaken Adams’ administration are part of multiple, interconnected probes involving alleged campaign finance violations and bribery. Last month, Adams was indicted on charges of accepting illegal contributions and bribes from foreign nationals, sparking calls for his resignation. He has pleaded not guilty and vowed to fight the charges, dismissing concerns that the legal challenges are affecting his ability to govern.
“I am confident when the true story gets out and not a one-sided version, New Yorkers are going to see that we can stay focused and get the job done,” Adams said Monday.
The investigations have expanded to include the activities of several key figures in Adams’ orbit, including his top advisors and appointees. U.S. prosecutors have also confirmed that they are pursuing “related investigations” into other city officials and contractors. Among the allegations is a probe into whether Terence Banks’ consulting firm violated the law by leveraging his family’s political connections to secure lucrative city contracts for private companies.
The scrutiny surrounding Adams has intensified, with even Democratic allies voicing concerns. Governor Kathy Hochul has reportedly been advising Adams to sever ties with those involved in the probes. As governor, Hochul has the authority to remove the mayor from office but has so far not taken that step. Other top officials, including Police Commissioner Edward Caban and mayoral advisor Timothy Pearson, have also stepped down as the investigations unfold.
A Turbulent Time for Adams’ Leadership
Adams, who took office in 2022, now faces the most significant leadership challenge of his tenure. With multiple top officials resigning or being fired, and the ongoing federal investigations swirling around his administration, Adams is under increasing pressure to distance himself from those implicated in the scandals. So far, however, he has resisted calls to step down, asserting that his administration can weather the storm.
The mayor’s legal battles and the departure of key personnel are happening at a critical time for New York City, which continues to grapple with rising crime rates, economic challenges, and ongoing recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Adams’ political opponents have seized on the turmoil, with some calling for an overhaul of City Hall leadership.
Yet, despite the growing controversies, Adams has maintained that he will continue to focus on the issues facing the city, including public safety, economic recovery, and housing. “We will continue to move this city forward,” he said Monday.
As Adams fights to keep his administration afloat, the federal investigations into his conduct and that of his close allies are expected to continue, casting a long shadow over his leadership and the future of New York City politics.
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