NEW YORK — In a significant shakeup within the administration of Mayor Eric Adams, Lisa Zornberg, the chief legal adviser, has resigned unexpectedly, raising further questions about the stability of the mayor’s office amid ongoing federal investigations.
City Hall announced Zornberg’s resignation late Saturday night. Having served for over a year, she played a crucial role in advising Adams and city officials on legal matters, often addressing media inquiries regarding legal strategy. It is important to note that Zornberg was not the mayor’s personal attorney.
In her resignation letter, Zornberg expressed, “It has been a great honor to serve the City. I am tendering my resignation, effective today, as I have concluded that I can no longer effectively serve in my position. I wish you nothing but the best.”
This departure comes in the wake of multiple federal investigations that have recently intensified, including the seizure of phones from various members of the mayor’s inner circle. Notably, the police commissioner, Edward Caban, resigned earlier this week, citing the “distraction” caused by the investigations.
While Zornberg, a former federal prosecutor, was not among those whose phones were seized, the federal probe has already impacted key figures in the administration. Devices were confiscated from the heads of the public school system, a top deputy mayor, and advisers on public safety, revealing the breadth of the inquiry.
Federal authorities have not disclosed the specifics of the investigations. However, they have previously targeted Adams’ campaign connections, executing searches and seizing phones related to key individuals in his circle.
In response to Zornberg’s unexpected resignation, Mayor Adams indicated that an interim replacement would be appointed shortly. “We appreciate all the work Lisa has done for our administration and, more importantly, the city over the past 13 months,” Adams stated. “These are challenging roles, and we don’t expect anyone to remain in them indefinitely. We wish Lisa all the best in her future endeavors.”
