New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ chief legal advisor suddenly resigned over the weekend amidst multiple federal investigations, marking the latest sign of instability in Adams’ administration in handling the various probes.
The New York City government announced late Saturday night that Lisa Zornberg had resigned. For over a year, she had been providing legal strategic advice to Mayor Adams and other city officials and often represented the mayor in addressing legal questions from the media, although she was not his personal attorney.
In her three-sentence resignation letter to Adams, Zornberg wrote, “It has been an honor to serve this city. I have decided to resign, effective today, as I have determined that I can no longer effectively fulfill this role. I sincerely wish you all the best.”
Before Zornberg’s resignation, several key members of Mayor Adams’ administration had their phones confiscated by federal investigators, including the New York City Police Commissioner who resigned on Thursday.
Zornberg, a former federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, was currently handling some of the FBI’s investigations into the Adams administration, but her phone was not seized.
Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned, citing that the investigation news had made him “distracted” and unable to continue working.
Federal authorities have not yet revealed the targets of the investigation. Apart from the Police Commissioner, phones of the Schools Chancellor, a senior deputy mayor, and two senior advisors to Adams on public safety have been taken.
Investigators seized devices from Caban’s twin brother James Caban, a former officer with the NYPD who now runs nightclub security business. They also searched belongings related to Terence Banks, the brother of Phil Banks, Adams’ chief deputy in public safety, and David Banks, the Education Chancellor.
In a previous separate investigation, federal authorities seized Adams’ phone, searched a residence of one of his top campaign donors, and searched two residences related to his director of Asian affairs.
Adams denied any wrongdoing.
He stated he would announce an interim replacement for Zornberg in the coming days.
In a statement, he said, “We are grateful for all that Lisa has done for our government and this city over the past 13 months; the work has been arduous, and we do not expect anyone to hold the position forever; we wish Lisa all the best in her future endeavors.”