During upheaval, Eric Adams likely to appoint internally for key position
Sources indicate that the New York City Mayor is nearing a decision to promote Maria Torres-Springer to the position of first deputy mayor.
TroibNews 
**NEW YORK** — By late Monday afternoon, four more aides to Mayor Eric Adams had departed amid a growing scandal, and it is anticipated that the first deputy mayor — a significant role within the government — will soon follow suit.
In light of the recent resignations stemming from a federal corruption investigation and indictment against the Democratic mayor, Adams is poised to promote a trusted insider. Maria Torres-Springer, the current deputy mayor for housing, economic development, and workforce, is the leading candidate to become the new first deputy mayor.
Five individuals with knowledge of the appointment process indicated that the beleaguered mayor is close to selecting her as the successor to Sheena Wright, who is stepping down from her position.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the authority to remove Adams, is urging her fellow Democrat to part ways with the aides under scrutiny. Conversely, Adams’ team is pressuring Wright to resign, following the raid of her Harlem residence by federal agents, during which her phone was confiscated.
Wright’s husband, David Banks, who also had his phone seized in the raid, recently resigned from his position as schools chancellor. On Monday, Phil Banks, David's brother, also declared his resignation. Since the early September raids, four additional high-ranking officials have either been ousted or have resigned, following Adams’ indictment on September 26.
With Torres-Springer, Adams would gain a veteran government official who has served under previous mayors Bill de Blasio and Mike Bloomberg.
“She’s a professional and will just ride out through this year and be able to say I helped keep the city moving during a time of turmoil,” stated one of the sources.
While Torres-Springer was reported by NBC New York to be in line for the position, she opted not to comment, directing inquiries to the City Hall press office.
Adams’ spokesperson, Fabien Levy, commented that “no announcement is final until it is made.”
Torres-Springer has been part of Adams’ administration since its inception, and her reputation as capable and professional stands out amid the prevailing chaos.
She played a key role in the negotiations for housing and a soccer stadium at Willets Point in Queens, which Adams considers one of the administration's major achievements, and is currently spearheading the City of Yes plan designed to reform the city’s zoning.
Previously, under de Blasio, she held the roles of housing commissioner and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation.
The decision to appoint Torres-Springer may partly be influenced by Hochul, who has offered assistance to Adams in identifying suitable candidates for these high-level posts, according to a participant in the discussions.
“They want senior people with government experience around the mayor or in the mayor’s office to help steady the ship, no matter who the mayor is,” said another source familiar with Hochul’s perspective.
Torres-Springer remains untainted by the myriad investigations and controversies that have clouded the Adams administration.
“You don’t want to have to explain that when you’re introducing somebody. So it would be cleaner in a lot of ways to choose somebody from the outside,” mentioned one source aware of Adams’ considerations. However, “she’s highly qualified because of her years of government experience, plus the fact she knows all the players in the administration and doesn’t have to learn as she goes.”
Just hours following the announcement of Phil Banks’ resignation on Monday morning, PMG reported that Adams’ Asian liaison, Winnie Greco, and Muslim liaison, Mohammed Bahi, had also resigned, along with the termination of International Affairs staff member Rana Abbasova.
All have been embroiled in controversy, particularly Abbasova, who is allegedly linked to facilitating bribes from the Turkish government for Adams. Bahi faced criticism from the New York Post editorial board last year for his involvement in founding a purported radical Muslim organization.
On another note, Chief Adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin revealed in a recent radio interview that she intends to retire at the start of the new year.
In the midst of this upheaval, Adams is relying on internal promotions.
Last week, he elevated Allison Stoddart, chief of staff to former chief counsel Lisa Zornberg, to replace her and nominated Acting Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant for a permanent position.
Adams did, however, make one notable external hire by appointing Tom Donlon as the interim police commissioner. Shortly thereafter, federal investigators visited his home.
"He brought in Donlon from outside the NYPD, but look how that turned out," one source familiar with Adams' thinking remarked. "All the personnel changes that will happen — they're all going to be internal hires."
Jason Beeferman contributed to this report.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
In light of the recent resignations stemming from a federal corruption investigation and indictment against the Democratic mayor, Adams is poised to promote a trusted insider. Maria Torres-Springer, the current deputy mayor for housing, economic development, and workforce, is the leading candidate to become the new first deputy mayor.
Five individuals with knowledge of the appointment process indicated that the beleaguered mayor is close to selecting her as the successor to Sheena Wright, who is stepping down from her position.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the authority to remove Adams, is urging her fellow Democrat to part ways with the aides under scrutiny. Conversely, Adams’ team is pressuring Wright to resign, following the raid of her Harlem residence by federal agents, during which her phone was confiscated.
Wright’s husband, David Banks, who also had his phone seized in the raid, recently resigned from his position as schools chancellor. On Monday, Phil Banks, David's brother, also declared his resignation. Since the early September raids, four additional high-ranking officials have either been ousted or have resigned, following Adams’ indictment on September 26.
With Torres-Springer, Adams would gain a veteran government official who has served under previous mayors Bill de Blasio and Mike Bloomberg.
“She’s a professional and will just ride out through this year and be able to say I helped keep the city moving during a time of turmoil,” stated one of the sources.
While Torres-Springer was reported by NBC New York to be in line for the position, she opted not to comment, directing inquiries to the City Hall press office.
Adams’ spokesperson, Fabien Levy, commented that “no announcement is final until it is made.”
Torres-Springer has been part of Adams’ administration since its inception, and her reputation as capable and professional stands out amid the prevailing chaos.
She played a key role in the negotiations for housing and a soccer stadium at Willets Point in Queens, which Adams considers one of the administration's major achievements, and is currently spearheading the City of Yes plan designed to reform the city’s zoning.
Previously, under de Blasio, she held the roles of housing commissioner and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation.
The decision to appoint Torres-Springer may partly be influenced by Hochul, who has offered assistance to Adams in identifying suitable candidates for these high-level posts, according to a participant in the discussions.
“They want senior people with government experience around the mayor or in the mayor’s office to help steady the ship, no matter who the mayor is,” said another source familiar with Hochul’s perspective.
Torres-Springer remains untainted by the myriad investigations and controversies that have clouded the Adams administration.
“You don’t want to have to explain that when you’re introducing somebody. So it would be cleaner in a lot of ways to choose somebody from the outside,” mentioned one source aware of Adams’ considerations. However, “she’s highly qualified because of her years of government experience, plus the fact she knows all the players in the administration and doesn’t have to learn as she goes.”
Just hours following the announcement of Phil Banks’ resignation on Monday morning, PMG reported that Adams’ Asian liaison, Winnie Greco, and Muslim liaison, Mohammed Bahi, had also resigned, along with the termination of International Affairs staff member Rana Abbasova.
All have been embroiled in controversy, particularly Abbasova, who is allegedly linked to facilitating bribes from the Turkish government for Adams. Bahi faced criticism from the New York Post editorial board last year for his involvement in founding a purported radical Muslim organization.
On another note, Chief Adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin revealed in a recent radio interview that she intends to retire at the start of the new year.
In the midst of this upheaval, Adams is relying on internal promotions.
Last week, he elevated Allison Stoddart, chief of staff to former chief counsel Lisa Zornberg, to replace her and nominated Acting Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant for a permanent position.
Adams did, however, make one notable external hire by appointing Tom Donlon as the interim police commissioner. Shortly thereafter, federal investigators visited his home.
"He brought in Donlon from outside the NYPD, but look how that turned out," one source familiar with Adams' thinking remarked. "All the personnel changes that will happen — they're all going to be internal hires."
Jason Beeferman contributed to this report.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
