Sheena Wright, New York City’s first deputy mayor, is the seventh senior leader to depart the administration recently.
Sheena Wright, a close ally of Mayor Eric Adams, has stepped down from her role as first deputy mayor, marking the seventh high-ranking official to leave the administration amidst a period of turmoil in New York City government. Sources indicate that Maria Torres-Springer, currently serving as the deputy mayor for housing, economic development, and workforce, is set to take over the position. Wright is expected to continue in her role until the end of the month, with Mayor Adams likely to officially announce the transition during his regular media briefing on Tuesday.
In a statement anticipated to be released on Tuesday, Mayor Adams expressed gratitude for Wright’s contributions to the city, particularly in serving children, families, and working-class New Yorkers. He praised her leadership and strategic vision for the city, noting her role in building a strong team. Wright’s resignation follows the recent unsealing of a corruption indictment against the mayor by federal prosecutors, adding to the series of high-profile departures from the administration.
The wave of resignations began with the stepping down of Wright’s brother-in-law, Philip B. Banks III, who served as the deputy mayor for public safety, and her husband, David C. Banks, the schools chancellor. On September 4, federal investigators seized the phones of these officials, including Wright, as part of an ongoing probe. With Wright’s resignation, all individuals involved in the phone seizure have either resigned or announced plans to do so, reflecting a significant shakeup in the city’s leadership.
These developments come at a challenging time for New York City, as the administration faces scrutiny and legal challenges. The transition in leadership at the deputy mayor level signals a shift in key positions within the government, with Torres-Springer poised to take on new responsibilities. As the city navigates these changes, Mayor Adams will need to appoint replacements and maintain stability in his administration to address the pressing issues facing New Yorkers.
Source: The NY Times
