Phil Banks Resigns Amid Federal Probes, Joining Exodus From Adams Administration

New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks resigned from his position, marking the latest departure from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration amidst federal investigations. Banks, a longtime friend of Adams, stepped down on Monday, October 7th, following growing pressure linked to a federal probe into his involvement in city contracts, alongside multiple other top officials.

Banks’ resignation is part of a larger shake-up in the Adams administration. His departure follows that of his brother, Schools Chancellor David Banks, who resigned last week, and his brother’s wife, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who resigned on Tuesday, October 8th. These high-profile exits come after federal authorities seized phones from Phil Banks, David Banks, and Wright as part of a probe into alleged misconduct related to city contracts and regulations.

Phil Banks, once the highest-ranking officer in the NYPD, resigned from the police department in 2014 during a corruption scandal, though he was never charged. His resignation from the Adams administration comes as Mayor Adams faces mounting public pressure to resign himself after his indictment on multiple counts of bribery and fraud. 

Despite this wave of resignations, Adams praised Phil Banks’ work, stating, “We spoke yesterday, and he wants to move on to other things in his life. I wish my good friend well.” The mayor also downplayed the significance of the ongoing resignations, framing them as routine turnover and assuring the public that qualified candidates were lined up to fill the vacancies.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on whether Adams can maintain control of his administration in the face of these scandals and public skepticism. Meanwhile, New Yorkers are left to grapple with the political fallout and uncertainty surrounding the city’s leadership.