The number of aides leaving New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration has continued to grow. In less than a month, nearly a dozen officials and staffers under Adams have either resigned, been arrested, or in some cases, both.
First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright turned in her resignation Tuesday, Oct. 8, weeks after federal investigators took her electronic devices. Longtime government official Maria Torres-Springer will take her spot.
A few hours after Wright resigned, police arrested senior community affairs liaison, Mohamed Bahi, after he resigned on Monday, Oct. 7. Bahi was charged with witness tampering and obstruction of justice.
He is accused of working with a businessman to set up an alleged straw donor campaign scheme that led to Adams’ criminal indictment. Meanwhile, Adams vowed to not resign, despite the exodus at city hall.
“We don’t surrender. We fight for what we believe is right. And I’m going to say to you, and I’m going to say throughout this city, I didn’t do a damn thing wrong and I’m not going to surrender to anyone telling me I did something wrong,” Adams said.
At a press conference, Adams also had a message to New York City residents following the resignations.
“Look at what we have done since this investigation first was revealed to us and look at what we are continuing to do. And we’re going to do what I was elected to do. And that is to take our city into a place that those who have been betrayed by the government will no longer be betrayed,” Adams said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., reportedly told Adams to get rid of certain employees. She also has the power to remove Adams.
The person who would replace him is public advocate Jumaane Williams. He reportedly accepted political donations from the same businessman who allegedly orchestrated illegal donations to Adams.
Adams is facing five federal counts of bribery, corruption, wire fraud and soliciting and accepting donations from foreign nationals.
