Mayor Eric Adams has upped the ante in his ongoing conflict with the New York City Council. On Friday, City Hall’s chief counsel, Lisa Zornberg, sent a letter to Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, calling for an ethics investigation into Councilmember Lincoln Restler, alleging that his behavior during a recent hearing was “harassing and inexcusable.”
The dispute stems from a hearing where Restler questioned the city’s handling of sexual harassment complaints, bringing up allegations of misconduct against Tim Pearson, a close friend and adviser to the mayor. Pearson is facing two lawsuits from employees at the Mayor’s Office of Municipal Services Assessment, alleging sexual harassment.
Zornberg’s letter criticized Restler for using the hearing to “defame and harass city employees,” pointing to his questioning of Melody Ruiz, the city’s Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. Restler asked whether Ruiz could remain impartial in sexual harassment investigations given her close ties to Mayor Adams and her recent promotion after he took office. He also inquired about Pearson’s treatment, suggesting that he might be receiving special protection from the administration.
Restler didn’t back down, stating that it’s the Council’s duty to thoroughly examine how the city handles sexual harassment complaints. He defended his line of questioning, arguing that all city employees deserve a safe workplace free from harassment. He pointed out that one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits against Pearson had raised a complaint with Ruiz’s office, but no action was taken. City Hall stated that the investigation into Pearson’s behavior couldn’t continue because the plaintiff had stopped cooperating.
Restler’s questions also delved into the provision of free legal representation for city employees accused under the Adult Survivors Act, which applies to the mayor in connection with an alleged incident from over 30 years ago, a charge he has denied.
Zornberg’s letter accused Restler of violating Council protocols by asking about ongoing legal matters without prior notification. Restler responded, asserting that he had briefed the administration about the topics he intended to cover, including Pearson’s case.
The City Council promptly rejected the administration’s call for an ethics investigation, with spokesperson Shirley Limongi reaffirming the Council’s commitment to oversight. The controversy underscores the escalating tensions between the mayor and the Council, which have been exacerbated by disagreements over budget cuts, vetoed bills, and recent high-profile appointments.
Interestingly, the administration’s request for an ethics investigation has drawn more attention to the hearing, which had limited media coverage at the time. It comes amid other free speech controversies involving City Hall, with the mayor’s team recently defending an NYPD chief’s social media posts that were perceived as offensive by some elected officials. Hours after Zornberg’s letter, Speaker Adams shot back, demanding an investigation into the NYPD’s social media use, calling recent posts “dangerous, unethical, and unprofessional.”
As the clash between the mayor and the City Council intensifies, the ultimate outcome remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—the battle lines are drawn, and the stakes are high.
