Additional Coverage:
### NYC Mayor’s Chief Counsel Resigns Amid Federal Probes
**By Madeline Halpert, BBC News, New York**
Eight hours ago, Lisa Zornberg, the chief counsel to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, stepped down late Saturday night as the federal government continues multiple criminal investigations into Adams’ administration.
Zornberg’s resignation follows the recent departure of New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban, whose home was raided and phone seized just two days earlier.
In a statement from the mayor’s office, Zornberg said, “I am tendering my resignation, effective today, as I have concluded that I can no longer effectively serve in my position.”
Mayor Adams expressed gratitude for Zornberg’s service but did not provide a reason for her departure. “These are hard jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever,” he stated, adding that a replacement would be named “in the coming days.”
The resignation of the chief counsel is the latest in a series of exits among top officials appointed by Adams, who is under a separate corruption probe. Last week, the homes of several senior officials, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III, and Chancellor of New York City Public Schools David C. Banks, were raided, and their phones were seized as part of the investigations.
A former Manhattan prosecutor, Zornberg provided legal and strategic advice to City Hall and regularly addressed media inquiries regarding the federal probes into the administration.
In her resignation statement, Zornberg did not provide a reason for leaving but expressed gratitude to Mayor Adams, stating, “I am deeply grateful to Mayor Adams for giving me the opportunity to serve the city, and I strongly support the work he has done and continues to do for New Yorkers.”
Since taking office at the start of 2022, Mayor Adams and his team have faced growing scrutiny from federal authorities. Last year, the FBI raided the home of Adams’ chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, and other campaign members, investigating potential illegal campaign contributions from the Turkish government and other foreign sources. However, a source informed the BBC that last week’s searches did not appear connected to the Turkey investigation.