With this indictment, Mayor Eric Adams has earned the questionable honor of becoming the first mayor to hold office in contemporary New York City history.
Adams pledged to stay in City Hall and fight the criminal charges as soon as the word of the indictment leaked. But he might not have the last say in the matter. This is the next possible outcome.
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According to the city charter, the governor may remove the mayor following a criminal prosecution. The final decision falls on Hochul’s say in this matter. The mayor and the governor have consistently supported each other.
The governor’s press secretary, Avi Small, recently said, “Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation. It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”
Williams would serve as mayor if Adams resigned until a special election was called to select his successor. According to the charter, the acting mayor must announce a date for that election within three days after the mayor’s resignation.
The public advocate’s spokesperson, William Gerlich, described the indictment’s announcement as “incredibly serious.”
As additional information became available, he added, Williams would, “right now, he is focused on how best to ensure that New Yorkers can regain trust, confidence and stability in city government.”
If Williams is incapacitated, City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is a candidate for mayor, would be the next in line.
Amidst corruption investigations pertaining to their governments, Jimmy Walker, the mayor from 1932, and Bill O’Dwyer, the mayor from 1950, both resigned. But Walker and O’Dwyer were not prosecuted while in government, in contrast to Adams.
Adams made this decision as soon as he learned of the indictment, which was still sealed as of late Wednesday night. Adams’s primary rivals were among those who swiftly joined the chorus of Democrats calling for his resignation.
The operation of government is being threatened by the “flood of resignations and vacancies,” according to U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who expressed her doubts about Adams’ ability to “continue governing” only hours before the indictment became public. Following the seizure of his phones by federal officials earlier this month, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned. Lisa Zornberg resigned as Adams’ chief attorney two days later.
David Banks, the school’s chancellor, announced his retirement at the end of the year. His phones were also confiscated. Ashwin Vasan, the commissioner of health, also declared his intention to retire by the beginning of 2019. There is currently no federal inquiry that Vasan is connected to.
At least four different investigations against Adams’ campaign or administration are being conducted by federal authorities.
The law also permits the city to establish a unique commission known as an “inability committee,” which has the authority to remove the mayor. Six people make up that committee: the comptroller, the speaker of the City Council, the deputy mayor chosen by the mayor, the corporation counsel, also referred to as the top attorney in the city and the borough president with the longest tenure.
Donovan Richards, the president of Queens Borough, Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Comptroller Brad Lander are the three members that are currently known. Adams would select the deputy mayor, while the job of corporation attorney for the city is open now.
For the mayor to be removed, at least four members must vote. The committee’s formation without the involvement of a senior lawyer is not explicitly stated in the charter.
