Mayor Eric Adams’s administration has seen another significant departure with the resignation of his chief legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, over the weekend. As a former senior federal prosecutor, Zornberg’s presence was meant to steady the ship, particularly as Adams faces a barrage of federal investigations.
The timing of Zornberg’s resignation is as critical as it is perplexing. Just days before her exit, the city’s police commissioner, Edward A. Caban, was forced to step down amid investigations by federal agents. The mayor himself, though not formally accused of any wrongdoing, has been in the crosshairs of multiple investigations, including those led by the Southern District of New York, where Zornberg once held a top position. Investigations revolve around potential corruption and campaign fundraising irregularities.
In her brief resignation letter, Zornberg simply stated, “I am tendering my resignation, effective today, as I have concluded that I can no longer effectively serve in my position. I wish you nothing but the best.” Although her reasons remain somewhat opaque, it’s been suggested by sources familiar with the matter that her departure had less to do with the ongoing probes and more to do with the mayor’s unwillingness to heed her advice on certain personnel matters.
In response to her departure, Adams remained cordial: “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. We wish Lisa all the best in her future endeavors.” Yet, for many watching the mayor’s tenure closely, the growing list of departures is becoming harder to ignore, especially with the 2025 election on the horizon.
The mayor is already struggling to fill other key positions. Just last week, Randy Mastro, his pick for corporation counsel, withdrew his nomination after facing opposition from the City Council.
