Mayor Eric Adams is facing significant opposition in his attempt to appoint Randy Mastro as New York City's Corporation Counsel. Mastro, a former aide to Rudy Giuliani and a lawyer for Chevron, has been criticized for his track record in defending conservative causes and his involvement in controversial legal cases, including representing the Turkish government. The city's Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, which comprises 34 of the City Council's 51 members, has expressed firm opposition to Mastro's nomination, citing his unsuitability for the role. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the timing of the nomination, following the controversial decision to replace Judge Hinds-Radix after she objected to representing Adams in a sexual misconduct lawsuit. Despite the backlash, Mayor Adams remains undeterred, emphasizing the importance of not judging a lawyer by their clients. Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg has defended Mastro, highlighting his legal acumen, amid indications that Mastro may recuse himself from a federal investigation if appointed.
.@NYCMayor pushes out head of police oversight board via @jeffcmays She joins a growing list of women of color who’ve been reportedly pushed out of the admin, starting w Keechant Sewell, who also clashed with mayor over police discipline https://t.co/3pDdyVQrg5
Mayor Adams Pushes Out Chairwoman of Police Oversight Board by @JeffCMays https://t.co/WOU2MfQUYr
NEW: The interim chairwoman of an independent police oversight panel who had fiercely criticized the Police Department will step down at the request of Mayor Eric Adams, according to three people familiar with the matter. https://t.co/CMGoK8SrHB
Eric Adams faces increasing opposition to his legal pick within City Council https://t.co/RMC8YWw9ot
NEW: Over the weekend, @NYCSpeakerAdams and @NYCMayor spoke by phone about the mayor's potential appointment of Randy Mastro to lead the Law Dept. The speaker expressed her displeasure - another sign of trouble ahead. W/ @JCColtin https://t.co/6Bu5pC5VYj
Mayor Adams brushes off mounting opposition to his presumptive nomination of Randy Mastro as the city’s top lawyer He says recent criticisms of Mastro represents a “slippery slope” and that “the process” to appoint him will continue. https://t.co/NGD8r08HbX
Lander opposes Mastro for corp counsel. He doesn't have a vote, but the comptroller's office has to work with the Law Department *a lot.* https://t.co/4a4E6h3bts
The Corporation Counsel is the City’s lawyer, not the Mayor’s personal lawyer. Props to @BLACaucusNYC for making clear that a former Giuliani lieutenant who has consistently disrespected @NYCCouncil & is suing the City on behalf of New Jersey (where he lives) is unfit to serve. https://t.co/lDuH9J5yHS
"Behind closed doors, Hinds-Radix was fiercely opposed to having the city’s lawyers represent Adams and was unhappy with being forced to do so, sources said." https://t.co/ih83lxHWKP via @createcraig
The Black, Latino and Asian Caucus make up two-thirds of @NYCCouncil They have come out strongly against Mayor Eric Adams's pick for corporation counsel, former Giuliani aide Randy Mastro, but the mayor appears undeterred. w/@emmagf https://t.co/9UVn1q4dfY
“Adams staffers are now trying to make the case that Mastro,” Hinds-Radix’s replacement, “is an elite legal mind, with City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg even going as far as comparing him to one of the country’s forefathers, John Adams” https://t.co/45teYealES
NYC's top lawyer pushed out after raising issues with city repping Adams in sex misconduct suit: sources https://t.co/X6eGpB8sKf https://t.co/T0tV1EOIpf
NYC’s top lawyer pushed out after raising issues with city repping Adams in sex misconduct suit: sources https://t.co/gR1oGQLHPp https://t.co/0I3Rvuw0XX
NEW: The Adams administration’s top attorney raised concerns over having New York City rep the mayor in his sex assault lawsuit — and found out in the news that she was being replaced, The Post has learned. https://t.co/bmmwAt57v1
.@NYCMayor questioned on why he’s replacing his Corp Counsel doesn’t provide a cogent reason. Of course it comes at a time City made a controversial decision to represent Adams & crony Pearson in law suits involving matters that have nothing to do with scope of their employment
.@NYCMayor & his counsel praising Randy Mastro in anticipation of nominating him for Corp Counsel. That post needs @NYCCouncil approval, & it sounds like his nomination is dead before arrival.
Without, technically, admitting they want to hire Randy Mastro, Adams says it's a slippery slope to go after a lawyer based on the clients they represent. And Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg defends Mastro at length, highlighting that he also did pro bono work, and Legal Aid.
First question on today's Off Topic Tuesday is about Randy Mastro, a likely pick to replace Judge Sylvia Hinds Radix. We're getting a full-throated defense of Mastro by chief counsel Lisa Zornberg, going all the way back to John Adams (no relation to the mayor)
Opposition growing to @Chevron lawyer Randy Mastro's appointment as New York City's lawyer. Mastro is a serial human rights violator who orchestrated my arbitrary detention and whose attacks on Amazon Indigenous peoples have resulted in numerous deaths. ⬇️ https://t.co/vW39v1wNzU
It’s not just lefties opposed to Mastro, as we reported last week - there’s widespread opposition in the council. And it might not help with BLAC that Black woman Judge Hinds-Radix is the one being replaced. https://t.co/IJNFP2kQyN
The city council’s 34-member Black, Latino and Asian caucus opposes Mayor Eric Adams’ push to name Randy Mastro as corporation counsel: https://t.co/YYzqvg6OdB
Inbox: The City Council's Black, Latino & Asian Caucus — which comprises 34 of its 51 members — says the caucus is "firm in its opposition" to Mayor Adams' expected nomination of Randy Mastro as NYC's next corp counsel. "Mastro is unfit to serve," statement says. https://t.co/ZU4XBMkLFY
NEW: Statement from the BLAC rejecting @NYCMayor's nomination of Randy Mastro for Corporation Counsel. "We deserve better than someone who has fought for the interests of top-earners, abusive corporations, and vindictive politicians." 🔗⤵️ https://t.co/9Z96vwuMAA
Adams’ pick for corp counsel, Randy Mastro, works at King & Spalding — which represents the Turkish government. That could help the mayor, *if* he’s appointed and *if* this federal investigation goes a specific way. So Mastro may recuse. First in Playbook: https://t.co/Rqz5V7WXz1 https://t.co/TgZyiVCTUu
Randy Mastro's track record for defending conservatives and their causes may sink his chances of being approved as the city’s new top lawyer before he’s even been officially nominated, according to lawmakers. https://t.co/PFICD6JbhU
Figures in new @ManhattanInst survey of NYC likely voters spell trouble for Mayor Eric Adams, who is gearing up for his reelection bid next year facing a migrant crisis and a rash of subway violence. https://t.co/PTiiE3TMIJ via @JKetcham91