The sixth highest-ranking officer in Mayor Eric Adams' New York City administration is reportedly leaving their post, according to an insider.
First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who recently had her phones taken by federal investigators in September, seems set to step down, as per an insider's information. The exact departure date hasn't been disclosed yet.
Wright becomes the sixth high-ranking figure in Adams' administration to part ways, amidst multiple international probes. CNN has reached out to City Hall for their standpoint.
Adams is currently battling five federal charges of bribery, corruption, wire fraud, and accepting donations from foreign nationals. He pleaded not guilty at his hearing and maintains his innocence.
The accusations against Adams, as outlined in the indictment, involve him seeking and accepting "inappropriate rewards, such as lavish global travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one high-ranking Turkish government official aiming to wield influence over him," as per the indictment.
Additional charges against Adams are "possible," and there's a "likelihood" of further individuals being charged in this federal corruption case, mentioned the prosecutor Hagan Scotten at a court hearing last Wednesday.
Wright's impending departure follows closely after the Adams administration's decision to expedite the departure of New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks, who was set to leave by December 31st.
Banks issued a statement last week, announcing his planned retirement and his willingness to stay until December 31st to manage an orderly transition for the staff. The Mayor, however, decided to move up the timeline. Banks will now leave on October 16th, two months ahead of schedule.
Interestingly, Banks, who is married to Wright, also had his phones confiscated as part of a different probe into Adams. Wright's phone seizure was due to a separate federal investigation, and not linked to the one investigating Adams, sources informed CNN earlier.
These events unfolded shortly after CNN reported that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged Adams to dismiss any aides in his administration associated with the ongoing probes.
Subsequently, former senior advisor Tim Pearson, a close confidant of Adams, also chose to resign on Monday.
CNN's Gregory Krieg contributed to this report.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
In light of the ongoing investigations, Adams urged his team to maintain transparency, stating, "We are all responsible for ensuring that 'us' in the administration uphold the highest ethical standards."
Following Wright's decision, the Adams administration is now faced with the challenge of finding a suitable replacement, as they prepare for potential changes within their ranks.
