New York Deputy Mayor for Criminal Justice Philip Banks, right, pictured on April 3, 2023, has resigned amid overlapping federal investigations of Mayor Eric Adams' administration. Banks resigned on Oct. 7, 2024.
© Seth Harrison, The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(New York, NY) – Major changes continue to occur at City Hall, with members of Mayor Eric Adams’ administration resigning in droves. With Adams facing federal charges tied to alleged corruption and bribery, it seems he is following along with Governor Kathy Hochul’s request to “clean things up.” Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office, and has indicated she wanted to see changes among Adams’ inner circle.
So the latest firings include Rana Abbasova, a longtime Adams’ staffer. Per the indictment brought against the mayor, Abbasova arranged improper straw donations in order to skirt campaign finance laws. Prosecutors also accuse her of arranging luxury travel accommodations for Adams and members of his 2021 campaign — something that’s been tied to an alleged influence peddling scheme, and the nation of Turkey. Officialy, Abbasova has been fired as Adams Director of Protocol for International Affairs.
Abbasova had been on leave. Her termination comes as top Adams officials like Tim Pearson, Phil Banks, David Banks — and perhaps soon, Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright — have stepped down. Pearson, the Banks’ brothers, and Wright all had their electronics communication devices seized in recent weeks during FBI raids.
Also, Winnie Greco has been fired. She has been in the headlines in connection to allegedly improper dealings with the Chinese Communist Party. Her home was recently raided by the FBI. Greco, who served as Direction of Asian Affairs, was let go. Mohamed Bahi — a Community Affairs Unit employee — has also been fired.
Adams has refused numerous calls for him to resign. He maintains that his lawyers can fight the case while he serves as mayor. It’s a historic situation in the sense a sitting New York City mayor had never previously been indicted for a crime.
