Mayor Eric Adams’ chief counsel resigned Saturday without advance notice, according to a City Hall spokesperson.
Lisa Zornberg left after a little over a year on the job, while top officials in the administration face multiple federal investigations. Fabien Levy, the deputy mayor for communications, said her departure was effective immediately.
The mayor’s office provided a short statement from Zornberg that offered no explanation as to why she left.
“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,” Zornberg said.
The abrupt exit leaves a significant hole in the administration — and draws attention to legal problems surrounding the mayor and his inner circle.
As chief counsel, Zornberg was responsible for defending the mayor amid a federal corruption investigation into his 2021 campaign. She also worked as an adviser on key policy issues, including his response to the migrant crisis.
Her resignation comes two days after NYPD commissioner Edward Caban stepped down, and a week after his phones were seized as part of a separate federal investigation. Other top Adams aides also had their phones taken, including first deputy mayor Sheena Wright, her partner schools chancellor David Banks and deputy mayor for public safety Phil Banks.
Before joining City Hall, Zornberg spent years as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which is now investigating several city officials. She also worked in white collar defense at a private firm before starting as chief counsel, according to a biography announcing her appointment.
Adams said in a statement that he appreciated the work Zornberg had done.
“These are hard jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever,” he said.
He added that other senior members of Zornberg’s team “will remain in their roles to ensure the office continues to fully operate without issue, and we expect to name an acting chief counsel in the coming days.”
Adams tested positive for COVID on Monday, and he has not appeared in person at any public events since. On Thursday he delivered remarks virtually announcing Caban’s resignation.