Mayor Eric Adams’ chief counsel resigned Saturday with out advance discover, in line with a City Hall spokesperson.
Lisa Zornberg left after somewhat over a yr on the job, whereas top officers within the administration face a number of federal investigations. Fabien Levy, the deputy mayor for communications, stated her departure was efficient instantly.
The mayor’s workplace offered Zornberg's resignation letter, which supplied little rationalization as to why she left.
“I am tendering my resignation, effective today, as I have concluded that I can no longer effectively serve in my position,” the letter stated.
The abrupt exit leaves a major gap within the administration — and attracts consideration to authorized issues surrounding the mayor and his internal circle.
As chief counsel, Zornberg was chargeable for defending the mayor amid a federal corruption investigation into his 2021 marketing campaign. She additionally labored as an adviser on key coverage points, together with his response to the migrant disaster.
Her resignation comes two days after NYPD commissioner Edward Caban stepped down, and per week after his telephones had been seized as a part of a separate federal investigation. Other top Adams aides additionally had their telephones taken, together with first deputy mayor Sheena Wright, her companion colleges chancellor David Banks and deputy mayor for public security Phil Banks.
Before becoming a member of City Hall, Zornberg spent years as a federal prosecutor within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which is now investigating a number of metropolis officers. She additionally labored in white collar protection at a personal agency earlier than beginning as chief counsel, in line with a biography asserting her appointment.
Adams stated in an announcement that he appreciated the work Zornberg had achieved.
“These are hard jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever,” he stated.
He added that different senior members of Zornberg’s crew “will remain in their roles to ensure the office continues to fully operate without issue, and we expect to name an acting chief counsel in the coming days.”
Adams examined constructive for COVID on Monday, and he has not appeared in individual at any public occasions since. On Thursday he delivered remarks nearly asserting Caban’s resignation.
