Mayor Eric Adams’ romantic partner, Tracey Collins, retired from a senior position at the Education Department following allegations of not showing up to work and not disclosing luxury travel benefits. An investigation is ongoing regarding her absence and potential misconduct. Despite criticisms and concerns, Adams has defended Collins’ work ethic and denied that their relationship influenced her career advancements.
Tracey Collins, the romantic partner of Mayor Eric Adams, has recently retired from a senior position at the Education Department amidst allegations of misconduct. This story, originally reported by Chalkbeat, has brought to light concerns about Collins’ work attendance and failure to disclose luxury travel benefits.
Collins, who received a notable promotion and a substantial salary increase after Adams took office in 2022, officially ended her employment on November 1. A former department employee raised suspicions to city investigators that Collins had been absent from work since the previous Thanksgiving, prompting an investigation by multiple agencies including the Special Commissioner of Investigation and the Department of Investigation.
Records of Collins’ work schedule revealed numerous empty days on her calendar despite her senior advisory role in the Division of School Leadership. Concerns were raised about her lack of presence in key meetings and events, raising questions about her actual duties within the department.
While Collins has not been charged with any crimes related to the allegations, questions have been raised about her role in the Education Department and her compliance with financial disclosure requirements. Allegations of receiving undisclosed travel benefits from Turkish officials have further raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Despite the scrutiny, Mayor Adams has defended Collins, emphasizing her decades-long commitment to serving public school students and her contributions as a teacher, principal, and administrator. He has denied any favoritism in her career advancement and has affirmed her dedication to her job responsibilities.
Collins’ retirement coincided with a pay increase for non-union Education Department officials, including herself, and a shift in her role to a position within the deputy chancellor’s office. Her departure from the department comes amidst ongoing investigations into her conduct and compliance with ethical standards.
The controversy surrounding Tracey Collins’ tenure at the Education Department has sparked public interest and raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the agency. As the investigations continue, the outcome remains uncertain, but the case has highlighted the importance of upholding integrity and ethical standards in public service.
Source: TheCity.NYC
