New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Phil Banks III, has officially resigned amid a growing corruption scandal that is casting a shadow over Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. Banks, who had previously served as NYPD’s chief of department, left the police force in 2014 under similar controversial circumstances but was brought back by Adams to oversee public safety as his deputy mayor. His resignation marks a significant development in the escalating crisis surrounding Adams’ leadership.
Speaking to NY1, Mayor Adams shared his thoughts on Banks’ departure, explaining that they had discussed the situation both the day prior and again on Monday morning. According to Adams, Banks expressed a desire to “move on to other things” in his life. The mayor also wished his “good friend” well, signaling that the departure was amicable, at least on the surface.
However, the resignation of Phil Banks is just the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the administration. Banks’ brother, David Banks, who had been serving as the city’s schools chancellor, also stepped down recently. Meanwhile, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who is married to David Banks, is reportedly planning her own exit. When pressed about these departures over the weekend, Adams sought to downplay the situation, dismissing rumors and emphasizing that any formal announcements would come directly from his office.
Despite the mayor’s optimistic statements, the series of resignations, particularly from such close associates, raises questions about the overall stability of the administration. The ongoing federal investigation into how the city awarded contracts and enforced nightlife regulations appears to be at the center of the controversy. Phil Banks, along with David Banks and Sheena Wright, had their phones seized last month as part of the investigation. Though an attorney for Phil Banks, Ben Brafman, urged the public not to read too much into the resignation, stating that Banks was not a target of the investigation, the situation remains clouded by speculation and uncertainty.
Brafman added, “There is no indication that he is a target. To the contrary, I was told he was not a target… Don’t read anything into his resignation.”
Phil Banks, once the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the NYPD, resigned from the force in 2014 amid a different corruption scandal. At that time, federal prosecutors had named him an unindicted co-conspirator in a separate investigation. The recurring theme of corruption scandals surrounding Banks raises serious concerns about his involvement in this current situation, despite reassurances from his legal counsel.
The ripple effect of this ongoing investigation has led to further resignations from the administration. In addition to Banks and his brother, three more officials announced their departures on Monday. Winnie Greco, the mayor’s liaison to the Chinese-American community, resigned after federal agents searched her home earlier this year. Similarly, Rana Abbasova, the mayor’s director of protocol for international affairs and liaison to the Turkish community, also left her position. Abbasova had reportedly been cooperating with federal investigators. Mohammed Bahi, who worked in the city’s Community Affairs Unit, also resigned. Greco and Bahi stepped down voluntarily, while Abbasova was terminated. All three had been serving as key community liaisons for the administration, further emphasizing the impact this scandal has had on Adams’ leadership team.
As this federal investigation continues to unfold, Mayor Adams himself is under significant pressure. Adams faces a five-count indictment that includes charges of bribery and fraud. Although he has pleaded not guilty and vowed to fight the accusations, a recent Marist poll suggests that most New Yorkers have lost faith in his leadership. According to the poll, 69% of city residents believe Adams should resign, with 71% of Democrats sharing that sentiment. Additionally, 80% of respondents feel that Adams should not seek re-election, while only 30% think he should serve out the remainder of his term.
Moreover, if Adams refuses to step down, 63% of respondents believe that New York Governor Kathy Hochul should initiate proceedings to remove him from office, while 36% think Hochul should refrain from such actions.
In response to the poll results, Adams remained defiant, arguing that the public has only been exposed to “one side of the story.” He stated, “We have not fully been able to tell our side of the conversation. Once they see both sides of the issue, you’re going to hear what I’ve stated over and over again, that I did nothing wrong.”
Despite his confidence, the mayor’s ability to continue running the city effectively is increasingly being questioned. The combination of a criminal trial, mounting public disapproval, and the resignation of multiple high-profile members of his administration has created an environment of uncertainty and doubt about the future of his leadership.
Adams is attempting to convince New Yorkers that he is still capable of leading the city, but with each resignation and new development in the investigation, that task becomes more daunting. The coming weeks will likely prove critical in determining whether Adams can maintain his grip on power amid this growing political and legal storm.
