Tim Pearson, Mayor Eric Adams' shadow confidant and top aide, resigned Monday amid an intensifying federal corruption investigation, people familiar with the matter told the Post.
Mr. Pearson was one of a number of Adams administration officials and allies whose devices were seized in a series of dramatic federal raids on September 4th.
Mr. Pearson, who oversees security transactions for migrant shelters, is under intense scrutiny for allegedly interfering with the selection of contractors in exchange for kickbacks, the people said.
Federal authorities questioned officers from Pearson's obscure city department, Municipal Services Evaluation, about city contracts, officials said.
The accusations match details from an April lawsuit that alleges Pearson told office employees 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?”
Mr. Adams is under pressure to fire Mr. Pearson, among other officials, including Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, who are being closely watched by federal authorities.
But as recently as Tuesday, Mr. Adams came to Mr. Pearson's defense, claiming that his embattled ally and longtime friend had saved the city money in his role.
“We asked him to go in and look at it and we were able to save hundreds of millions of dollars by cutting costs on everything from security contracts to other contracts,” Hizzoner said.
In addition to being under federal surveillance, Pearson has faced unwanted attention for numerous sexual harassment accusations against him, a controversial brawl at a city immigrant shelter, and for maintaining a casino salary while working for the city. are collecting.
