NYC Mayor Eric Adams loses latest aide as chief legal counsel steps down amid controversy

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing the departure of his chief legal counsel, Lisa Zornberg, amid controversy surrounding the resignation of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban following an FBI raid of his home. Zornberg, a former senior Manhattan federal prosecutor, has served as the mayor’s lead attorney for the past year, and her exit comes as federal investigators focus on several of Adams' close allies.

In a statement, Zornberg expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work for the city. “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.

Mayor Adams responded with thanks for Zornberg’s work, noting that her replacement will be announced soon. “We appreciate all the work Lisa has done for our administration and, more importantly, the city over the past 13 months. These are hard jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever,” Adams said in a statement.

The leadership shakeup follows an FBI raid last week at Caban's home and the homes of other top city officials, including Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks and the residence shared by Schools Chancellor David Banks and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. The raids are reportedly part of a corruption probe, with investigators potentially looking into influence peddling. However, the exact focus of the raids remains unclear, according to the New York Post. So far, no charges have been filed against any individuals.

Caban announced his resignation following the raids, citing his desire to keep the NYPD's focus on public safety. The move was seen as a way to restore public trust as the investigation continues. In an email to NYPD officers, he said, “The news around recent developments has created a distraction for our department, and I am unwilling to let my attention be on anything other than our important work, or the safety of the men and women of the NYPD.”