New York City’s Corporation Counsel, Sylvia Hinds-Radix, has resigned after raising concerns about using city resources to defend Mayor Eric Adams in a sex assault lawsuit. Hinds-Radix, who was initially appointed by Adams, refused to step down when requested by City Hall, but eventually resigned after learning that she would be replaced by Randy Mastro, a former chief of staff and deputy mayor for Rudy Giuliani.
According to sources, Hinds-Radix had expressed concerns about using the Law Department for Adams’ defense and had also pushed back on another legal issue, the details of which have not been confirmed. City Hall had become increasingly frustrated with her repeated opposition, and Adams denied during his weekly press conference that there were any disagreements between him and his corporation counsel.
For weeks, Hinds-Radix had defended Adams’ right to representation under the State Public Officers Law, despite acknowledging that the Law Department has discretion in such matters. Behind closed doors, however, she was reportedly fiercely opposed to having city lawyers represent Adams. City Hall then brought on celebrity attorney Alex Spiro to take a more aggressive approach in the case.
The appointment of Mastro as corporation counsel faces an uphill battle, as City Council members have expressed opposition to his confirmation. Adams staffers have attempted to bolster Mastro’s credentials, comparing him to John Adams, but Adams has remained non-committal about appointing Mastro to another post in City Hall if he fails to get confirmed.
