As the Banks family leaves City Hall, Mayor Adams' closest allies take farewell photos

Less than two weeks ago, Mayor Eric Adams spoke in glowing terms about his relationship with a family that has shaped his administration, for better and for worse.

“The Banks family is my family,” Adams said. “These are not just good officials, they are also good people.”

Among the mayor's first appointees were Schools Chancellor David Banks and his then-partner, now wife, Sheena Wright, who is also Adams' first deputy mayor. He appointed Phil Banks, David's brother, as deputy mayor for public safety, despite scandals that marred his 27-year career with the NYPD.

During their time in city government, Adams and his cadre of close advisors—including the Banks family—remained fiercely loyal to one another. The mayor stood by his allies as federal authorities surrounded them in recent months, confiscated their cellphones and subpoenaed them for information as part of several investigations.

But now a series of departures, including the two Banks brothers, suggests that ties may be breaking down. David Banks' retirement was already planned when Adams brought forward his final day. Multiple sources told Gothamist that Wright is expected to resign on Friday. Next came the retirement of Phil Banks.

Even before Adams was charged, Wright and David Banks had expressed dissatisfaction with the mayor over political issues, such as the school chancellor's attempt to enforce a cell phone ban, according to several people close to high-ranking City Hall officials who did not were authorized to speak publicly.

Recently, according to a source, Wright said she was upset that her husband's resignation was brought forward.

Her departure came as Gov. Kathy Hochul privately urged Adams to clean house.

“We expect changes,” Hochul told reporters last week. “This is no secret and changes are beginning.”

On Monday, Politico reported that three other aides to the mayor were also leaving. They include two people under federal investigation: Winnie Greco, a senior adviser who served as a liaison to the Chinese community, and Rana Abbasova, an adviser who helped connect Adams with the Turkish community.

But the hasty departure of those closest to the mayor has exacerbated rather than alleviated the crisis at City Hall. They have also created distractions at a moment when Adams, facing federal corruption charges and a recent poll showing nearly 70% of New Yorkers want him to resign, is trying to convey that he is still in control.

“This is a steady drain that is making City Hall much weaker than it has been,” said George Arzt, who served as press secretary for former Mayor Ed Koch.

Legal experts say Adams' separation from former top aides and close associates who are under federal scrutiny could also further endanger him.

“If their own behavior puts them at risk, one option is to try to cooperate and provide truthful information about the potentially criminal behavior of a higher-ranking person,” said Carrie Cohen, a former federal prosecutor.

Last week, prosecutors told a judge they may file additional charges against the mayor.

In each case, the mayor has portrayed his advisers' departures as their own decisions, with the exception of David Banks' accelerated resignation date – which came at Adam's behest.

Hochul first conveyed her demand that Adams weaken the ranks of his prosecution. Since then, the mayor's inner circle has all but collapsed.

First came Tim Pearson, one of the mayor's closest advisers who has been the focus of several lawsuits and investigations. He submitted his resignation on September 30. Two days later, Hochul told reporters that Pearson's exit was a “good first step” – with emphasis on the word “first.”

The Banks family resignations soon followed.

As of Monday afternoon, Hochul had not publicly indicated whether the latest round of departures would be enough to satisfy her. A spokesman, Anthony Hogrebe, said the governor and mayor “have had several discussions in recent days.”

“We will not comment on the specifics of these discussions, but the mayor is aware of the governor’s priorities,” he said.

For his part, Adams on Monday dismissed claims that the governor pressured him to fire aides. He referred to Hochul as a “partner.”

Over the past three years, Hochul and Adams have been key allies – touting their close relationship publicly at every possible opportunity to distance themselves from the dysfunctional relationships shared by previous governors and mayors.

Notably, Hochul did not call for Adams to resign after he filed charges accusing him of accepting generous travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals who relied on him for favors.

So far, Adams has been buoyed in part by the support of black civic leaders in New York City who have emphasized his right to due process. Many of them, including the Rev. Al Sharpton and Hazel Dukes, longtime president of the New York NAACP, are also aligned with Hochul.

The Rev. Kirsten John Foy, founder of a nonprofit group called The Arc of Justice, is among those calling on Hochul to give Adams his day in court. He and other black leaders were angered by some politicians who rushed to call for the mayor's resignation, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, the Manhattan Democrat who is the oldest member of the state's congressional delegation.

In an interview with Gothamist, Foy acknowledged that Hochul is in a “difficult position.”

“She has to show that she cares about the governance of New York City, but she can’t go too far and deviate from her lane,” Foy said. “For all the good, the bad and the ugly, Eric Adams is the duly elected mayor of the city of New York, and simply removing him or undermining him in that position effectively overturns the will of the voters.”