This is a tough situation for the allies, advisers and aides of Mayor Eric Adams, who last week became the first New York City mayor to be indicted on corruption charges.
Mr. Hitzzoner's predicament comes amid a spate of resignations and departures from senior government officials, several of whom have become embroiled in investigations.
Below is a list of former officials who have left the Adams administration.
timothy pearson
Pearson, a shadow confidant and one of Adams' top aides, resigned Monday amid an intensifying federal corruption investigation surrounding City Hall.
The former New York City police inspector general oversaw security transactions at immigrant shelters, and federal authorities are currently investigating whether he may have interfered in the selection of contractors in exchange for kickbacks.
The accusations are consistent with details from an April lawsuit in which Mr. Pearson told officials at the Local Government Service Evaluation Department that he was trying to line his own pockets.
“People are doing very well on these contracts,” Pearson said, according to the complaint. “I have to get my stuff. Where are my crumbs?”
Authorities raided his home in early September and seized his cellphone during a series of large-scale raids targeting other city officials and several of Mr. Adam's allies.
He held on to the job for several weeks, but finally announced his resignation this week.
Mr. Pearson's last day on the job is Friday.
edward cavan
Former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned last month after a federal raid on his home and intense pressure from City Hall.
A week before he retired, federal authorities seized his electronic devices as part of a corruption probe looking into potential influence trafficking, officials said.
Mr. Kavan, a more than 30-year veteran of the NYPD, leaves the top job about a year after Mr. Adams handpicked him to replace Chief Keechant Sewell, who will retire in June 2023.
“I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the brave police officers who serve this department, and the NYPD deserves people who are dedicated to protecting and serving New York City. It was in the best interests of this department that I chose this person.''It was a difficult decision to resign as police chief,'' Kavan wrote in an email to police.
Caban, the city's first Hispanic commissioner, has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
But federal authorities are also keeping an eye on her twin brother, James, for allegedly working as a “fixer” during troubles with police at upscale restaurants and nightclubs in Manhattan.
david banks
Embattled city schools Chancellor David Banks announced last week that he would step down from his post at the end of the year, a decision he apparently took just weeks after receiving a request from federal authorities.
Mr. Banks, who married First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright over the weekend, witnessed agents breaking into his Harlem home on September 4 and seizing their cellphones.
Mr. Banks later claimed that federal authorities told him he was not a target and dismissed the Post's question about whether he would resign because of that.
However, he later said he had always intended to leave.
“During my interview earlier this year, I advised you that I would be retiring at the end of this year after seeing a successful start to the school year,” Banks said in his resignation letter.
“After nearly 40 years of service to New York City public schools, I have decided to retire effective December 31, 2024.”
Authorities also seized the cellphones of two of his brothers. Terrence Banks is a former MTA employee turned consultant. Phillip Banks, Adams Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.
None of the Banks brothers have been charged with a crime.
Lisa Zornberg
Mr. Zornberg, who was City Hall's chief adviser, left City Hall a few days after Mr. Caban.
She is a former Manhattan senior federal prosecutor who has served as the city's chief attorney since July 2023.
But her resignation only prompted federal authorities to target Adams' inner circle. Sources said she took the action because Adams was reluctant to remove allegedly troubled Deputy Phil Banks, Deputy Tim Pearson and Winnie Greco, the city's director of Asian Affairs.
Political observers say a exhausted Zornberg, who is seeking a break from a chaotic and troubled administration, decided to resign on Saturday night, September 14.
In his resignation letter, Zornberg said, “I have determined that I am no longer able to effectively serve in my position, and I am tendering my resignation, effective today.''
Mr. Zornberg does not appear to be involved in the federal investigation and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Ashwin Vasan
Vasan, the city's health commissioner, also announced last week that he would resign at the end of the year.
He has been the Big Apple's top doctor since March 2022 and does not appear to be involved in the federal investigation.
Still, Mr. Vasan told the mayor that he would stay on while Mr. Adams searched for a successor.
