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Denied as a sign of a sinking administrative ship, New York City Mayor Eric Adams made a last-minute move regarding the order of succession as the Big Apple investigations spread.

Friday, Hizzoner appeared in court to enter a plea of not guilty for charges that included bribery and corruption. The night before, amid resignations, federal indictments and FBI raids, the five boroughs “brand” he’d once boasted of appeared to be one of favoritism cushy perks outside and within City Hall, including his First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.

As such, an executive order was issued Thursday determining who would fulfill her duties should she be unable for any reason, lining up Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isolm to take on Wright’s responsibilities.

“In the event that the First Deputy Mayor is unable to perform such functions, powers or duties, or in the event that the First Deputy Mayor waives in writing the delegation contained herein, all such functions, powers or duties of the Mayor are hereby delegated to the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services,” read the order in part.

A statement from City Hall representative Allison Maser reported by the New York Post denied that the order was a sign that Wright would soon be out the door, insisting, “Sheena is not resigning, nor has she taken a leave of absence. It is simply good governance to establish a clear line of succession, for the sake of continuity, in the instance that the mayor and first deputy mayor are both out of pocket.”

In addition to the indictment of Adams, a series of interconnected investigations by federal officials involved raids of figures within the New York City government, including Wright’s home that she shares with her partner, NYC schools chancellor David Banks, as well as the chancellor’s brother, Deputy Mayor of New York City for Public Safety Philip Banks III.

As it happened, the former Banks was celebrated ahead of Adams’ order as he announced he would be stepping down from his role as chancellor, making way for his successor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

During the press conference, he spotlighted Wright as he said, “I just want to say to the love of my life who has helped me in ways that are immeasurable, simply immeasurable, that folks can write whatever the hell they want to write. I know my truth. I know my truth.”

Along with Adams being investigated for allegedly receiving bribes from the Turkish government to facilitate the opening of a new consulate, other officials within the New York government were found to have connections to the Chinese government while now-former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban had resigned amid allegations that he and his brother, Jams Caban, had worked as fixers for bars and restaurants.

Further, the investigations of Adams extended to this campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs and International Affairs Aide Rana Abbasova who were also raided while two former FDNY chiefs were indicted for allegedly fast-tracking approval Bureau of Fire Prevention approval for VIP clients to the tune of $200,000.

Kevin Haggerty
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