Federal investigators have issued a subpoena to Molly Schaeffer, the Director of New York City’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, as part of a widening inquiry involving top officials in Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle. This includes Tim Pearson, a close advisor to the mayor, whose electronic devices were seized. Pearson, who worked closely with Schaeffer, is implicated in delaying contracts and seeking kickbacks. The investigation also involves Mayor Adams’ connections to foreign nationals, city contracting processes, and a consulting scheme involving former Police Commissioner Edward Caban and his twin brother. Adams has expressed support for Pearson despite controversies surrounding him, and the city’s former chief counsel resigned after urging the mayor to fire Pearson.
New York City’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations Director, Molly Schaeffer, has been served a subpoena by federal investigators as part of a widening federal inquiry that has ensnared several top officials in Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle. The subpoena reveals a deepening investigation involving individuals such as former Police Commissioner Edward Caban and longtime advisor Tim Pearson.
Tim Pearson, who leads the Municipal Services Agency, had his electronic devices seized by federal investigators. He worked closely with Schaeffer in overseeing the city’s management of asylum seekers. Pearson’s involvement in the contracting process has raised concerns, including allegations of seeking kickbacks from city contracts.
Pearson’s actions have led to delays in the contracting process, with reports suggesting he may have tried to secure contracts for personal connections, such as former NYPD detective Bo Dietl. Allegations of seeking kickbacks from city contracts have emerged in lawsuits filed against Pearson by current and former employees.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy emphasized the city’s expectation for all team members to fully cooperate. Levy highlighted Schaeffer’s commitment to serving New Yorkers and her importance to the team.
Mayor Adams has publicly supported Pearson, citing his contributions to identifying savings for the city. However, the controversy surrounding Pearson has led to the resignation of the city’s former chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, who had advised the mayor to terminate Pearson but was disregarded.
The federal investigations into Adams and his administration are focused on various aspects, including the city’s contracting processes, the mayor’s campaign, connections to foreign nationals, and a consulting scheme involving Edward Caban and his twin brother.
As the investigations continue to unfold, the scrutiny on Adams’ administration and key officials intensifies, raising questions about the transparency and integrity of the city’s operations. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the leadership and governance of New York City.
Source: TheCity.NYC
