Governor Kathy Hochul is facing a challenging situation as she navigates the delicate balance of managing Mayor Eric Adams amidst a federal indictment on fraud and bribery charges. Hochul has made it clear, both publicly and privately, that Adams should sever ties with individuals in his administration who are under legal scrutiny. This week, Tim Pearson, a top lieutenant of Adams, resigned, and Schools Chancellor David Banks, whose phone was seized in an FBI raid, is leaving his position earlier than planned.
Adams, in response to Banks’ early departure, mentioned that discussions with other leaders led to the decision to ensure stability. Hochul and Adams have maintained a strong public relationship, emphasizing their ability to work well together in contrast to previous feuds between New York City leaders. However, Hochul, who has the authority to remove Adams from office, has not hesitated to use her influence to address concerns about city governance.
Hochul stated that she has been collaborating with Adams to ensure that key positions are filled by responsible individuals, hinting at upcoming changes. She has become more immersed in New York’s political landscape since taking office in 2015, focusing on the entire state rather than just western New York. Despite this, some good-government advocates believe Hochul should take more assertive actions to address the situation.
Meanwhile, State Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs was detained by the NYPD in his East Harlem district following an incident involving his brother’s unregistered vehicle. Gibbs was arrested after a heated conversation with the police, and witnesses confirmed his arrest. Gibbs, a close ally of Mayor Adams, was taken into custody, although there is no indication that his arrest is related to the ongoing criminal investigations of the Adams administration.
In another development, outgoing Schools Chancellor David Banks revealed that Mayor Adams forced his early resignation, highlighting a rift between the two longtime friends. Banks confirmed that he had planned to stay in his position until December but will now step down in mid-October at the mayor’s request. This public conflict between Banks and Adams comes amidst federal probes surrounding the administration.
Furthermore, Jesse Hamilton, a key ally of Mayor Adams responsible for managing the city government’s real estate portfolio, had his phone seized by criminal investigators upon returning from a trip. Hamilton, a former state senator, joins the list of high-ranking Adams appointees involved in the ongoing criminal investigations. The seizure of Hamilton’s phone was first reported by the Daily News and appears to be part of the broader probes surrounding City Hall.
In other news, Rep. Mike Lawler faced backlash for wearing blackface as part of a Halloween costume nearly two decades ago. Additionally, Democratic allies of former Rep. Mondaire Jones filed a lawsuit to remove a “spoiler” Working Families Party candidate from the ballot in NY-17. Lastly, NYC college campuses are preparing for protests marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by hosting events promoting respectful and open dialogue.
Overall, Governor Hochul’s management of the delicate situation with Mayor Adams, alongside the ongoing developments involving key figures in the Adams administration, reflects the complexities and challenges of governing in New York City. The interactions between Hochul, Adams, and other officials underscore the need for transparency, accountability, and effective governance in addressing the legal and political issues facing the city.
