NYC’s chief legal counsel Lisa Zornberg steps down from Adams’ office week after FBI raids homes of mayor’s top aides
New York City Hall’s chief counsel is leaving her post in Eric Adams’ administration — just days after NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned in the aftermath of federal raids targeting a spate of cops and close aides of the mayor, she announced late Saturday.
Former senior Manhattan federal prosecutor Lisa Zornberg had served as the lead attorney for the mayor and City Hall since July 2023.
Her sudden departure comes as federal investigators have zeroed in on members of Adams’ inner circle and other allies.
“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 in a statement.
Adams thanked Zornberg and said he plans to announce her replacement in the coming days.
“We appreciate all the work Lisa has done for our administration and, more importantly, the city over the past 13 months. These are hard jobs and we don’t expect anyone to stay in them forever,” Hizzoner said in a statement.
Last week, FBI agents raided the homes of Caban and other members of the nation’s largest police force in what sources described as a sweeping corruption probe involving potential influence peddling.
Caban’s twin brother, James, is also being eyed by feds for his alleged role as a “fixer” for tony Manhattan restaurants and clubs as part of his “consulting” work.
Feds also searched the homes of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks and the townhouse shared by Schools Chancellor David Banks and First Deputy Mayor Sheena and seized their electronic devices.
No one has been charged with any wrongdoing.
Amid the scrutiny, Caban resigned on Thursday to help the department save face and regain the public’s trust. His tenure as commissioner is among the shortest in NYPD history.
“The news around recent developments has created a distraction for our department, and I am unwilling to let my attention be on anything other than our important work, or the safety of the men and women of the NYPD,” Caban wrote in an email to city cops.
He will be replaced in the interim by by former FBI official Tom Donlon.
