Sheena Wright, New York City’s First Deputy Mayor, has become the seventh senior official to resign from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration as a series of federal corruption investigations continue to overshadow City Hall. Wright’s resignation on Tuesday comes less than two weeks after Adams was indicted on charges of accepting bribes and illegal donations from foreign nationals, including Turkish citizens.
Adams, a former police captain, has pleaded not guilty to five counts in the indictment and has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. “I am going to serve my term and run for reelection,” he stated at a City Hall press conference. “I would never instruct anyone to do anything illegal or improper. The only instruction I give people all the time is, ‘follow the law.’”
In light of Wright’s departure, Adams announced that Maria Torres-Springer, currently a deputy mayor for housing and economic development, will be promoted to fill her position. The mayor noted that there is “no shortage” of candidates interested in joining his administration.
Adams has become the first New York City mayor in over 150 years to face criminal charges while in office. A recent poll conducted by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion revealed that 69 percent of adult New Yorkers want Adams to step down.
Last month, federal investigators conducted a raid on the home Wright shares with her husband, David Banks, who serves as the city’s schools chancellor, seizing electronic devices during the investigation. Both Banks and his brother, Philip Banks, deputy mayor for public safety, have announced their resignations. Additionally, Edward Caban, the city’s police commissioner, resigned last month after authorities confiscated his phone and other devices. None of these officials have been charged with any crimes.
Federal prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn are pursuing at least four distinct criminal investigations into corruption within the city administration, including the ongoing case against Mayor Adams.
On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announced the indictment of Mohamed Bahi on charges of witness tampering and destruction of evidence related to the investigation of illegal donations to Adams’ campaign. Bahi had served as the mayor’s liaison to the Turkish community and resigned from his position on Monday, though he could not be reached for immediate comment.
While Adams declined to answer specific questions regarding accusations that he instructed Bahi to communicate with donors about what to convey to federal investigators, he reiterated his commitment to lawful conduct.
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