By love-89.com In a recent interview, we explored the rapidly evolving situation involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams, particularly following his federal indictment in late September. Reports suggest that the mayor’s inner circle is beginning to fragment, as several key officials have confirmed their resignations. By the evening of October 7, both Phil Banks, the city’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, and Zheng Qirong, a senior advisor focused on the Asian community, had stepped down. Furthermore, Rana Abbasova, a former senior aide handling community affairs who is believed to have cooperated with prosecutors against the mayor, has also been dismissed.
Banks stands out as the highest-ranking official to resign amid these developments. His home was searched by federal investigators on September 4, coinciding with searches at the residence of his brother, David Banks, and Sheena Wright, who is the First Deputy Mayor and was David’s fiancée at the time. David, who had previously served as the city’s education commissioner, has since resigned early from his position. There are unconfirmed reports suggesting that Sheena Wright may soon follow suit, and their brother, Terence Banks, is reportedly under federal investigation as well.
Attorney Steven Brill, who represents Zheng Qirong, provided insights into her resignation, emphasizing that it was a personal decision and expressing uncertainty about whether she faced any pressure from the city government to resign.
Zheng has been an essential part of Adams’s team since 2014, where she worked to strengthen ties with Chinese and Asian communities. Reports highlight her significant contributions to fundraising for the mayor’s 2021 campaign, while various media outlets have raised concerns regarding her financial dealings. Allegations suggest she has long facilitated influence from the Chinese government and pro-China organizations on Adams, which may have obstructed official contacts with Taiwan. Earlier this year, FBI agents searched her home, but she has yet to face any criminal charges.
Our attempts to reach Zheng directly have been unsuccessful, and the city government has remained tight-lipped regarding the reasons behind her departure.
Like Zheng, Abbasova played a critical role as a liaison between Adams and New York’s Russian-speaking and Muslim communities. She has been on unpaid leave from her role as the Director of Protocol for the mayor’s International Affairs Department since federal investigations began last November. Reports indicate that an unnamed “city employee” provided substantial evidence against Adams to prosecutors, potentially linking Abbasova to these allegations. While the specifics are not publicly verified, recent attacks on her credibility by Adams’s legal team may provide further insight into the situation.
In addition to Banks, Zheng, and Abbasova, other senior officials in Adams’s administration have resigned or are expected to do so soon, including former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, Health Commissioner Ashwin Wasan, and Senior Advisors Lisa Zornberg and Timothy Pearson. Both Caban and Pearson are reportedly under federal scrutiny, and there are rumors that Wright could resign later this week.
As events continue to unfold, the ramifications raise concerns about the stability of Adams’s administration going forward.