Sheena Wright resigns as City Hall exodus continues; Adams names new first deputy mayor of NYC

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor of New York City, resigned Tuesday—making her the latest top official in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration to step down amid federal corruption probes.

Wright submitted her resignation Monday, and Adams appointed another deputy, Maria Torres-Springer, as Wright’s replacement Tuesday. Torres-Springer had been the deputy mayor for economic development, housing, and workforce development.

Torres-Springer's first assignment will be to conduct an immediate review of personnel, programs and policies, Adams said. The mayor denied that Gov. Kathy Hochul had influenced or signed off on the pick.

Adams called Wright a “constant, constant supporter” and said she had served New Yorkers well in his administration. “Sheena, job well done. You make us all proud,” he said.

"We are thrilled to elevate Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer, whose more than two decades of experience leading multiple city agencies and executing on one of the most successful housing and economic development agendas in the city’s history will serve as a solid foundation for our administration and best position us for the future," Adams said in a statement.

Wright's exit came one day after Adams confirmed the resignation of Philip Banks, the deputy mayor for public safety, and Winnie Greco, his director of Asian affairs whose own fundraiser efforts for the mayor have come under scrutiny. Last week, he announced the school’s chancellor, David Banks – Wright’s husband and Philip Banks’ brother – would step down later this month.

Wright is the seventh senior official to leave Adams’ administration in recent weeks as federal investigators have closed in. Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams, reportedly told him last month in a private call to clean house. "I’ve talked to the mayor about what my expectations are, and I don’t give out details of private conversations," she told reporters.

Wright and David Banks share a Hamilton Heights townhouse that was raided by investigators in September.

Federal agents have seized devices from Wright, as well as from Phil and David Banks, and their youngest brother, Terence Banks.

The three Banks brothers have denied wrongdoing, as has Wright.

David Banks said last week he would retire as schools chancellor on Oct. 16, two months earlier than initially planned. Banks suggested he was forced out, saying, “The Mayor has decided to accelerate” his departure.

Three other staffers also departed Monday, including Director of Protocol for International Affairs Rana Abbasova; Director of Asian Affairs Winnie Greco; and Mohamed Bahi, of the mayor’s Community Affairs Unit.

In recent weeks, the NYPD's commissioner, Edward Caban, and one of Adams’ closest aides, Timothy Pearson, have also stepped down.

Prosecutors have not said why many of the officials’ phones were seized. No one beside Adams has been charged with a crime.

Adams was hit with a five-count indictment on Sept. 26 charging him with wire fraud, bribery, conspiracy and two counts of receiving campaign contributions from a foreign national.

The indictment alleges he accepted overseas travel, campaign cash and other perks from foreign interests seeking to harness his influence. Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and rebuffed calls to resign.