New York City deputy mayor resigns amid federal investigation
- Philip Banks resigned as deputy mayor for public safety, stating he wants to transition to other pursuits.
- His resignation follows federal investigations and the seizure of devices from several city officials, including his brother.
- The mayor faces increasing pressure to reform his administration amid ongoing scrutiny and calls for accountability.
In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has accepted the resignation of his deputy mayor for public safety, Philip Banks, amid ongoing federal investigations into the mayor's administration. Banks, a longtime friend of Adams, expressed a desire to transition to other pursuits, stating that the current situation was a burden on their work. This resignation follows a series of departures from the administration, with five top officials leaving in the past month. Federal agents have seized devices from several city officials, including Banks and his brother, schools chancellor David Banks, as part of investigations into alleged illegal campaign contributions and bribery involving foreign nationals. The mayor, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, faces increasing pressure to reform his administration, including calls from Governor Kathy Hochul. Despite the turmoil, Adams remains defiant, asserting that he will continue to lead the city and that the truth will eventually emerge. The investigations also involve scrutiny of a consulting firm run by a third Banks brother, Terence, regarding potential legal violations in securing city contracts. The situation has raised concerns about the integrity of the administration and the implications for public trust in city governance.