Stephen Yang
The resignation of a top aide to Mayor Eric Adams came after Gov. Kathy Hochul told Hizzoner he needs to clean house, sources confirmed to The Post.
Hochul told Adams he needed to start making personnel changes as several of the embattled mayor’s deputies are facing investigations of their own — possibly crippling City Hall’s ability to function, according to a source briefed on the governor’s conversations.
The governor told reporters Monday she had spoken to Adams after he was indicted on federal bribery and wire fraud charges about “her expectations” but added “I don’t give out the details of private conversations.”
“I’m giving the mayor an opportunity now to demonstrate to New Yorkers and to me that we are righting the ship that we have the opportunity to instill the confidence that I think is wavering right now,” said Hochul, who as governor has the authority to remove a sitting mayor.
Tim Pearson, a confidante to Adams, submitted his resignation Monday after Hochul’s comments. The shadowy City Hall figure was one of a number of aides who had their phones seized in a dramatic series of raids by federal agents earlier this month.
Hochul isn’t directly calling for Adams’ resignation yet, but is applying pressure as the mayor continues to project backing amongst the black community, especially through leaders like Al Sharpton, sources said.
The demands from Hochul, first reported by CNN, are the strongest show yet that her relationship with Adams — a fellow Democrat she has called a “strong friend” in public — may be on the rocks.
The Post first reported last week that Hochul’s lawyers have begun researching how to go about utilizing language in the city charter to boot Adams from office – a potential nuclear option.
Top Dems are already discussing potential special election scenarios should Adams resign.
Adams has said he has no intention of stepping down.