Senior assistant to Eric Adams ousted during extensive corruption investigations
Tim Pearson, one of Adams' most trusted and well-compensated aides, has extensive yet unclear responsibilities.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — A significant shakeup in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration occurred on Monday when one of his most trusted aides, Timothy Pearson, resigned amid an expanding federal investigation that includes bribery charges against the mayor himself. Pearson's departure from his role as senior adviser for public safety, where he earned a salary of $257,374, will take effect on Friday, Oct. 4, as revealed in a resignation letter acquired by PMG.
This move is seen as a triumph for some of Adams’ close advisers, who had been urging the mayor to distance himself from Pearson for several weeks.
In his resignation letter, Pearson did not reference the ongoing investigations; instead, he expressed that he has "decided to focus on family, self-care, and new endeavors."
Pearson highlighted his contributions in advising Adams on new technology. According to PMG, he pushed for the fire department to finalize a contract with Remark Holdings, a technology company, while maintaining a close personal relationship with a consultant affiliated with the firm.
In a brief statement, Adams praised Pearson, affirming his substantial contributions.
“Tim has had a long career in both the public and private sectors, where he has spent over 30 years keeping New Yorkers safe," Adams stated. "We appreciate Tim’s decades of service to this city and wish him well.”
Pearson's resignation marks the fifth high-profile exit from the administration following federal agents' raids on the homes and phones of several top city officials, underscoring the growing crisis within City Hall.
The mayor has already removed his police commissioner, whose residence was searched by FBI agents, and City Hall's top attorney departed unexpectedly, explaining in her resignation letter that she could no longer perform her duties effectively. Additionally, Adams’ schools chancellor resigned last week, and his health commissioner is also stepping down amid the turmoil.
In his role, Pearson has wielded considerable influence, working officially for the city's semi-private Economic Development Corporation, which allows him to draw on his NYPD pension from his earlier service. In actuality, he has overseen critical city assignments, including helping to shape the leadership at the NYPD, approving contracts for migrant shelters, and managing an office tasked with enhancing municipal services.
Despite his influence, Pearson is a controversial figure within the administration. He has faced significant legal challenges, having been sued four times for allegations of sexual harassment while leading the Mayor’s Office of Municipal Services Assessment, a role Adams established but did not announce.
Nevertheless, the mayor has exhibited reluctance to sever ties with long-time allies like Pearson, even when under scrutiny from investigators.
“We asked him to go in and look in and we saved hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the costs,” Adams once remarked about Pearson's contributions at a press conference.
However, even Adams' loyalty has its boundaries, as indicated by growing pressure from at least five advisers who have advocated for Pearson's dismissal, as reported by PMG two weeks ago. The mayor's chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, resigned earlier this month partly over the refusal to part ways with Pearson.
Adams and Pearson have shared a friendship lasting three decades, formed during their service in the New York City Police Department and prominently displayed during Adams’ inauguration in January 2022, where Pearson was among the speakers.
However, complications arose shortly after Pearson's appointment in May 2022. Reports emerged detailing that he was also receiving a salary from Resorts World Casino, which was pursuing a casino license from the state. Public disclosure documents reviewed by PMG reveal Pearson earned between $250,000 and $500,000 from that position before resigning in August.
In the subsequent year, Pearson was involved in an altercation with private security guards at a city-run migrant shelter, leading to the arrest of two guards. Despite no longer holding an official position within the NYPD, Pearson reportedly visited one guard in jail, resulting in dropped charges against them. However, he is currently being investigated by the city’s Department of Investigation.
The DOI is also examining the four lawsuits alleging intimidation, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
In October, Pearson reportedly delayed the opening of a significant migrant shelter in Brooklyn while seeking a security contract for Bo Dietl, a retired NYPD detective and failed Republican mayoral candidate who is a long-time friend of Adams.
Earlier this month, Pearson and other City Hall aides were approached by FBI agents, who seized his phone as part of a broader investigation being conducted by the Manhattan U.S. attorney regarding potential corruption within the Adams administration.
Recently, Adams himself faced indictment on charges of providing political favors to the Turkish government in exchange for luxury travel upgrades and unlawful campaign contributions. He has pleaded not guilty and continues to resist calls for resignation.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
This move is seen as a triumph for some of Adams’ close advisers, who had been urging the mayor to distance himself from Pearson for several weeks.
In his resignation letter, Pearson did not reference the ongoing investigations; instead, he expressed that he has "decided to focus on family, self-care, and new endeavors."
Pearson highlighted his contributions in advising Adams on new technology. According to PMG, he pushed for the fire department to finalize a contract with Remark Holdings, a technology company, while maintaining a close personal relationship with a consultant affiliated with the firm.
In a brief statement, Adams praised Pearson, affirming his substantial contributions.
“Tim has had a long career in both the public and private sectors, where he has spent over 30 years keeping New Yorkers safe," Adams stated. "We appreciate Tim’s decades of service to this city and wish him well.”
Pearson's resignation marks the fifth high-profile exit from the administration following federal agents' raids on the homes and phones of several top city officials, underscoring the growing crisis within City Hall.
The mayor has already removed his police commissioner, whose residence was searched by FBI agents, and City Hall's top attorney departed unexpectedly, explaining in her resignation letter that she could no longer perform her duties effectively. Additionally, Adams’ schools chancellor resigned last week, and his health commissioner is also stepping down amid the turmoil.
In his role, Pearson has wielded considerable influence, working officially for the city's semi-private Economic Development Corporation, which allows him to draw on his NYPD pension from his earlier service. In actuality, he has overseen critical city assignments, including helping to shape the leadership at the NYPD, approving contracts for migrant shelters, and managing an office tasked with enhancing municipal services.
Despite his influence, Pearson is a controversial figure within the administration. He has faced significant legal challenges, having been sued four times for allegations of sexual harassment while leading the Mayor’s Office of Municipal Services Assessment, a role Adams established but did not announce.
Nevertheless, the mayor has exhibited reluctance to sever ties with long-time allies like Pearson, even when under scrutiny from investigators.
“We asked him to go in and look in and we saved hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the costs,” Adams once remarked about Pearson's contributions at a press conference.
However, even Adams' loyalty has its boundaries, as indicated by growing pressure from at least five advisers who have advocated for Pearson's dismissal, as reported by PMG two weeks ago. The mayor's chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, resigned earlier this month partly over the refusal to part ways with Pearson.
Adams and Pearson have shared a friendship lasting three decades, formed during their service in the New York City Police Department and prominently displayed during Adams’ inauguration in January 2022, where Pearson was among the speakers.
However, complications arose shortly after Pearson's appointment in May 2022. Reports emerged detailing that he was also receiving a salary from Resorts World Casino, which was pursuing a casino license from the state. Public disclosure documents reviewed by PMG reveal Pearson earned between $250,000 and $500,000 from that position before resigning in August.
In the subsequent year, Pearson was involved in an altercation with private security guards at a city-run migrant shelter, leading to the arrest of two guards. Despite no longer holding an official position within the NYPD, Pearson reportedly visited one guard in jail, resulting in dropped charges against them. However, he is currently being investigated by the city’s Department of Investigation.
The DOI is also examining the four lawsuits alleging intimidation, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
In October, Pearson reportedly delayed the opening of a significant migrant shelter in Brooklyn while seeking a security contract for Bo Dietl, a retired NYPD detective and failed Republican mayoral candidate who is a long-time friend of Adams.
Earlier this month, Pearson and other City Hall aides were approached by FBI agents, who seized his phone as part of a broader investigation being conducted by the Manhattan U.S. attorney regarding potential corruption within the Adams administration.
Recently, Adams himself faced indictment on charges of providing political favors to the Turkish government in exchange for luxury travel upgrades and unlawful campaign contributions. He has pleaded not guilty and continues to resist calls for resignation.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
