Impeachment of Eric Adams: Key people who resigned from his office

The indictment follows a lengthy investigation into Adams’ 2021 primary campaign fundraising and whether it involved illegal donations.

“Now I believe the federal government is planning to charge me with crimes. If so, these allegations will be completely false, based on lies,” Adams said in a statement to The Times and New York Daily News.

The investigation had a major impact on Adam’s administration. Law enforcement officials seized items from several high-profile individuals, including a phone belonging to David Banks, the public school chancellor, and devices belonging to the city’s police commissioner, two deputy mayors and one of Adams’ aides, Scripps News reported.

Meanwhile, several people have already resigned.

David Banks, chancellor of the New York public school system

David Banks, the head of the New York public school system, became the latest member of Adams’ office to announce his departure on Tuesday.

Banks had been implicated in the investigation weeks earlier when his phone was seized by police.

In a resignation letter cited by CBS, Banks, 62, said he informed Adams earlier this year that he planned to retire by December.

“After nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the New York City Public Schools, I have made the decision to retire at the end of this year. I want to thank Mayor Adams for giving me the opportunity to serve as Chancellor and I am extremely proud. of the progress we’ve made together,” Adams said in an online statement.

Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Health Commissioner

Dr. Ashwi Vasan, NYC’s 2022 health commissioner, announced Monday that he plans to step down before the end of the year.

“I want to thank Dr. Vasan for his service to New York City since the beginning of our administration,” Adams said in a statement quoted by Fox 5.

“His experience as a mental health expert, along with his training as a public health professional, have proven indispensable to our city over the past two and a half years as we have dealt with rising rates of COVID, outbreaks of Mpox and a mental health crisis both on our streets and in our schools.”

Lisa Zornberg, Senior Counsel

Adams’ chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, announced her departure on September 15.

Zornberg was the lead attorney for the mayor and city hall for just over a year.

“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,” Zornberg said in a statement quoted by Fox 5 .

Edward Caban, NYPD Commissioner

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned on September 12 amid speculation that he might remain in the role during the investigation.

“A short time ago, I accepted the resignation of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban. He concluded that this was the best decision at this time. I respect his decision and wish him well,” Adams said in a speech.

“Commissioner Caban has dedicated his life to making our city safer, and we’ve seen crime decrease for 13 of the 14 months he’s been commissioner.”

He added that Tom Donlon, a former FBI and counterterrorism official, would replace Caban.