NYC's Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Resigns Amidst Mayor Adams' Legal Troubles

Another Top Aide Resigns from NYC Mayor's Administration

Philip Banks III, brother of former NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks, has resigned from his position as Deputy Mayor of Public Safety. This comes just days after the news of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright's anticipated resignation, amidst investigations swirling around Mayor Eric Adams and members of his administration.

The resignations come as Mayor Adams faces mounting pressure to clean house in his administration, including from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove him from office. This follows the mayor's indictment last month on charges of accepting illegal campaign contributions and bribes from foreign nationals. Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and rebuffed calls to resign.

Federal Investigations Continue

Federal prosecutors have said they are pursuing “several related investigations” in addition to the case against the mayor, including the scrutiny of a consulting firm run by Terence Banks, the third brother. The consulting firm is being investigated for potentially leveraging family connections to secure city contracts.

Federal agents have seized devices from all three Banks brothers, though Philip Banks' lawyer has assured the public that his client is not a target of the investigation.

Adams Faces Calls to Resign

Despite the departures and investigations, Adams maintains his innocence and has refused to resign. He remains confident that when the “true story gets out,” New Yorkers will see that he can “stay focused and get the job done.” However, the ongoing departures and probes continue to cast a shadow over his administration.

A History of Controversy

Philip Banks previously served as the NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed member before resigning abruptly in 2014 amidst a corruption scandal. Though not charged, he was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case.

His appointment as Deputy Mayor in 2022 drew criticism due to the past controversy. However, he defended his appointment, claiming he had never betrayed the public trust and denied any wrongdoing.

Continuing Uncertainty

The resignations and ongoing investigations leave a sense of uncertainty hanging over New York City Hall. It remains to be seen how the mayor will navigate the current challenges and whether he will ultimately be able to weather the storm.