Mayor Eric Adams on Monday appointed the former head of New York’s troubled prison system to head the city agency responsible for recruiting and hiring city employees.
Luis Molina, who resigned from the Department of Corrections last year after a bitter feud with the federal government over disturbing conditions at Rikers Island, has been named director of the city’s Department of Administrative Services.
“DCAS is the foundation of city government and ultimately enables city officials to deliver on our vision to protect public safety, rebuild our economy and make this city a better place to live.” Adams said in a statement announcing his selection.
Molina takes over Dawn Pinnock announced in April She is stepping down from her role after two years leading the agency that manages more than 50 public facilities in the city and oversees the training of 300,000 employees.
The former DOC chief had been working as deputy mayor’s assistant under Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks since late last year.
He reportedly tried to leave town for California to take a leadership position with the Oakland Police Department but was not selected over other candidates. It was revealed in March.
During his nearly two-year tenure as DOC chief, an ally of Mr. Adams’, the department saw record numbers of inmate deaths and a strained relationship with federal inspectors overseeing the city’s jails, who grew increasingly angry about the way Mr. Adams ran the facility and threatened to take it over.
“I am eager to help New Yorkers pursue their dreams and find their passion for city government, just as I once did, and to once again lead the group of dedicated public servants who work hard for our city every day,” Molina said in a statement.
Rumors have been swirling around City Hall for weeks about who might be named to replace Pinnock, especially since City Council President Adrienne Adams announced a bill to amend the city charter to give council members more oversight over some senior positions, including the DCAS commissioner.
