Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks has resigned, marking yet another high-profile exit from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.

This departure is poised to deepen the scrutiny surrounding the mayor’s leadership during a tumultuous period.

The federal investigation into Banks has raised serious questions about his conduct, focusing on allegations that he may have directed city contracts toward companies represented by his younger brother Terence’s consulting firm, which secured millions of dollars in city deals. As deputy mayor, Banks was often seen as a “shadow police commissioner,” wielding significant influence over public safety matters.

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Banks’ history with the New York Police Department (NYPD) adds further complexity to his resignation. He climbed the ranks to become chief of department but abruptly stepped down in 2014, just before he was set to be promoted to first deputy commissioner. It was later disclosed that his resignation occurred under federal scrutiny linked to a sweeping bribery scandal. The investigation identified Banks as an unindicted co-conspirator and uncovered $300,000 in mysterious transactions associated with his accounts.

Despite these controversies, Mayor Adams appointed Banks to the pivotal role of deputy mayor for public safety in 2022, a position that had remained vacant for three decades. This appointment drew scrutiny, particularly because City Hall officials did not promptly seek a waiver to employ Banks, who was eligible for a $252,000 salary while simultaneously collecting a substantial pension from his previous law enforcement career.

As the repercussions of Banks’ resignation unfold, questions linger about the future of Mayor Adams’ administration and the ongoing challenges it faces in the realm of public safety and ethical governance.