New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, resigns as federal investigations into her administration intensify.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, resigned late Saturday night amid ongoing federal investigations into her administration. Her departure comes shortly after New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban stepped down following a raid on her home and the seizure of his phone.
In her resignation statement, Zornberg, said, “I am tendering my resignation, effective today, as I have concluded that I can no longer effectively serve in my position.”
The statement, shared by the mayor’s office, did not specify the reasons behind her resignation.
Mayor Adams expressed his gratitude for Zornberg’s service but did not elaborate on the circumstances of her departure. “These are hard jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever,” Adams said in a statement. He added that the administration would announce a replacement for Zornberg “in the coming days.”
The resignation of Zornberg is part of a broader wave of scrutiny and legal challenges facing Adams’ administration. Just last week, several top officials appointed by the mayor experienced similar legal troubles. In addition to Caban, who recently had his home raided, other officials such as First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III, and Chancellor of New York City Public Schools David C. Banks have also had their phones seized as part of these investigations.
The federal probes into Adams’ administration come amidst increasing scrutiny since the mayor’s inauguration on January 1, 2022. The investigations have focused on various aspects of the administration’s activities and relationships. Notably, last year, the FBI raided the home of Adams’ chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, and other campaign associates. This investigation is believed to center on whether illegal campaign contributions were received from foreign sources, including the Turkish government.
Zornberg, a former Manhattan prosecutor, had been a key figure in advising Adams on legal and strategic matters. She often appeared alongside the mayor during weekly press conferences, addressing questions from the media about the ongoing federal probes into the administration. Her resignation marks a significant shift in the administration’s legal team during a critical time.
In her resignation statement, Zornberg expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve and voiced her continued support for the mayor’s work. “I am deeply grateful to Mayor Adams for giving me the opportunity to serve the city, and I strongly support the work he has done and continues to do for New Yorkers,” she said.
The resignation of Zornberg, along with the recent departures and legal issues involving other top officials, underscores the mounting challenges facing Mayor Adams’ administration. The ongoing federal investigations have intensified the pressure on the mayor and his team, contributing to a period of heightened scrutiny and instability within the city government.
As the administration prepares to appoint a new chief counsel, the focus remains on how these legal issues will impact the mayor’s ability to govern effectively. The investigations and their outcomes are likely to have significant implications for the future of Adams’ administration and the broader political landscape of New York City.
The resignation of Lisa Zornberg, coupled with the legal troubles faced by other top officials, highlights the turbulent period currently affecting Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. The federal probes into various aspects of the city’s governance continue to cast a shadow over the administration, raising questions about the potential consequences for the mayor and his team moving forward.
