Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
It’s been 50 years since the release of “The Power Broker,” Robert Caro’s landmark biography of one of New York’s favorite civic villains, Robert Moses. But things haven’t slowed down at all in New York since the book’s release or the heyday of the city’s original one-man political machine. Just this week, former President Donald Trump decided to rally on Long Island, New York City Mayor Eric Adams held a summit on combating the scourge of rats and a top public health official admitted in secret recordings to partying it up during the pandemic. Caro may still be around to witness all this, but it’s something to imagine what Moses’ reaction would be to the craziness if he were still alive to control the levers of power.
Damian Williams -
Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, is making good on his promise to fight public corruption. He recently announced corruption charges against two high-level FDNY chiefs for allegedly speeding up inspections for customers in exchange for bribes. The very next day, Williams announced a slew of charges against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. And all this comes as Williams’ office leads at three of the four ongoing federal investigations into Mayor Eric Adams’ orbit.
Zellnor Myrie -
It was mayoral candidate and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, not New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who really got stuff done this week, forcing the mayor’s hand at a time when Adams needs his outer-borough base. Just one day after Myrie held a gun safety presser at the site of the West Indian Day Parade – where one person was shot dead and four were wounded – and two after the Daily News reported that a letter Myrie sent the mayor and governor about the shooting had gone unanswered, Adams finally met with parade organizers about the incident.
Lisa Zornberg -
These days, perhaps the best path to becoming a winner in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is to leave it. And while former Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg wasn’t exactly subtle about her exit – the under-cover-of-nightfall announcement from City Hall failed to pass unnoticed – it at least happened of her own volition. Her resignation letter stated that she could “no longer effectively serve,” reportedly because Adams declined her advice to get rid of his more problematic top officials. It’s unclear where Zornberg is headed next – maybe in search of a client who will take her advice.
Jay Varma -
Every once in a while, a City & State loser entry just writes itself. Dr. Jay Varma, former senior adviser for public health to then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, was caught in a series of right-wing sting videos admitting to having indoor ecstasy orgies during COVID, while he was publicly advising New Yorkers to maintain social distance. “The only way I could do this job for the city was if I could blow off steam every now and then,” Varma says in one of the covertly (and unethically) recorded videos. Blow off steam??? Steam full of tiny droplets??? Possibly containing SARS-COV-2????
Kathy Hochul -
In the high school cafeteria of New York politics, Gov. Kathy Hochul remains the earnest, studious honors student who isn't sitting with the cool kids, while Donald Trump is that guy who always has a crowd hanging on his every word. In New York, Hochul’s approval rating has sunk to 34%, five points lower than Trump’s. But Hochul is making attempts to hang with the popular students, inviting Cindy Adams over for a sleepover, complete with a wide-ranging dish session.
Eric Adams -
Mayor Eric Adams had a rough week yet again, although at least this time it didn’t involve any FBI raids. Still, the New York City Police Department’s fare evasion arrest gone wrong and his callous response to the wounding of members of law enforcement and the public left much to be desired. Given Adams’ understanding of “restraint,” one wonders if he was pleased at the protest spurred by the shooting and the countless outraged straphangers.