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Edited by: TJVNews.com
New York City Hall is in the midst of a significant shake-up following the sudden resignation of its chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, just days after NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban stepped down amid a sweeping federal investigation. According to a report in The New York Post, the resignations come as federal investigators zero in on Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle in a corruption probe that has sent shockwaves through the city’s administration.
Zornberg, a former senior Manhattan federal prosecutor who became the city’s lead attorney in July 2023, announced her departure late Saturday. Her exit has raised questions about the mounting pressure on City Hall as it grapples with a growing federal inquiry that has targeted some of the mayor’s closest allies and officials in the NYPD, as per the information provided in The Post report. Zornberg’s departure comes on the heels of a series of FBI raids and heightened scrutiny of key figures within Mayor Adams’ administration.
Zornberg’s decision to leave her post is both sudden and significant, given her role as the chief legal adviser to the mayor during one of the most challenging periods of his administration. As was reported by The Post, in her statement, Zornberg expressed gratitude to Mayor Adams for the opportunity to serve the city, saying, “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.”
Mayor Adams, in response, acknowledged Zornberg’s contributions over the past 13 months but offered little explanation for her abrupt departure. “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, as was indicated in The Post report. He said that he plans to announce her replacement in the coming days, though the timing of Zornberg’s resignation, coinciding with the ongoing federal investigation, has fueled speculation about the pressures facing City Hall.
The backdrop to Zornberg’s resignation is the broader federal investigation that has placed Mayor Adams’ administration under intense scrutiny. The FBI’s recent raids on the homes of top city officials, including former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, have shaken the city’s political landscape. The Post report revealed that Investigators have been probing potential influence peddling and corruption within the NYPD and Adams’ close circle, raising questions about the integrity of the administration.
Caban, who resigned last Thursday, became the first high-profile casualty of the investigation. The Post report confirmed that his resignation came just days after FBI agents searched his home, as well as those of other top officials, in what sources have described as a broad corruption probe involving allegations of influence peddling and other misconduct. Caban, whose tenure as commissioner lasted just a few months, cited the growing distraction of the investigation as the reason for his departure, stating in an email to NYPD officers, “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.”
While no charges have been filed against Caban or any other officials involved in the investigation, the ongoing probe has cast a shadow over Mayor Adams’ administration, which has struggled to maintain public trust in the face of the mounting allegations, The Post report said. Caban’s resignation, in particular, marks one of the shortest tenures in the history of NYPD commissioners and raises concerns about the leadership vacuum at the nation’s largest police force.
Caban’s decision to step down came as federal investigators reportedly began scrutinizing his twin brother, James Caban, for his alleged role as a “fixer” for high-end Manhattan restaurants and clubs. According to The Post report, James Caban’s consulting work, which is being eyed by federal authorities, adds another layer of complexity to the investigation and has further deepened the controversy surrounding the Adams administration.
In light of the investigation and Caban’s resignation, former FBI official Tom Donlon has been named as interim NYPD commissioner, tasked with restoring stability to a department that has been rocked by the scandal. Donlon, with his extensive background in federal law enforcement, brings a measure of credibility to the role as the NYPD seeks to regain the public’s trust.
Mayor Adams, who has yet to be directly implicated in the investigation, has expressed confidence in his administration’s integrity. However, the growing scrutiny surrounding his closest aides and officials has placed his leadership under a microscope. The investigation has also highlighted potential vulnerabilities in the relationships between city officials, law enforcement, and outside consultants, raising questions about the intersection of politics, influence, and governance in New York City.
