In an exclusive interview, New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the recent withdrawal of Randy Mastro from his nomination as the city’s legal counsel. Mastro, in a letter dated September 10, expressed his disappointment, revealing that this role was one he had long dreamed of. However, he cited significant challenges due to concerns raised by city council members about his qualifications.
The city council held a lengthy 11-hour hearing last month, during which several Democratic council members voiced serious ethical concerns regarding Mastro’s past. They pointed to his legal defense work for fast food executives fighting against minimum wage hikes and his representation of Chevron in a prominent environmental pollution case in Ecuador. Furthermore, his experience in former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration came under fire, particularly in light of Giuliani’s damaged reputation in recent years. A vote on the nomination was set for September 12.
The council’s strong opposition indicated a considerable lack of support, with progressive members and key Black, Latino, and Asian groups uniting against Mastro. Council Speaker Julia Agos emphasized, “Officials should serve the citizens, not the mayor,” criticizing Mastro’s previous actions while serving under Giuliani that she claimed had detrimental effects on minority communities, without any accountability from him.
Mayor Adams expressed his disappointment over Mastro’s withdrawal, stating, “Politics has unfortunately seeped into this nomination process, depriving New Yorkers of the opportunity to choose one of the most qualified candidates in history.”
The context of Mastro’s nomination is particularly charged, with several high-ranking officials in the Adams administration currently under federal investigation, including the police chief, the first deputy mayor, and the city’s education commissioner, among others. The council interpreted Mastro’s nomination as a reflection of Adams’s preference for a “tough” leadership style, especially amid ongoing campaign finance controversies and sexual assault lawsuits.
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams criticized the mayor’s choice, suggesting it showed an effort to undermine the council’s legislative power. City Comptroller Brad Lander was even more pointed in his remarks, declaring that Mastro was “not suitable for the position.” This year has seen the council frequently override the mayor’s vetoes on significant legislation, prompting Adams to launch a Charter Revision Commission aimed at limiting the council’s authority over appointments.
