By Jasper Ward
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday called on New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign “for the good of the city” as senior city administration officials have become entangled in multiple federal corruption investigations.
“I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” Ocasio-Cortez, a New York congresswoman who represents parts of the city, said in a post on X.
“The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”
David Banks, the chancellor of the city’s public school system, became the latest senior official in New York City to announce his resignation on Wednesday. The New York Times reported that Banks’ phone was seized by federal agents as part of a bribery investigation weeks earlier.
Edward Caban resigned from his post as New York City police commissioner on Thursday, a week after federal investigators seized his phone.
Agents also seized phones and searched the homes of several other high-ranking officials and advisers in Adams’ administration.
In November, FBI agents seized electronic devices belonging to the mayor. Adams, a former police captain who became mayor in 2022, has said he is cooperating with all investigations and has instructed his officials to do the same, and that his priority remains serving New Yorkers.
No one has been charged with wrongdoing.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
