NYC Corporation Counsel Brendan McGuire Resigns Amid Controversy Over Mayor's Legal Defense

New York City Corporation Counsel Brendan McGuire has been forced to resign after questioning the city's representation of Mayor Eric Adams in a sexual misconduct lawsuit, according to sources familiar with the matter. The resignation comes as the Adams administration faces growing opposition from the City Council over the potential nomination of Randy Mastro, a controversial attorney and former Rudy Giuliani administration official, as the city's next top lawyer.

McGuire's departure follows reports that he raised concerns over using the Law Department to defend Mayor Adams in the sex assault lawsuit. The previous Corporation Counsel, Sylvia Hinds-Radix, was also reportedly pushed out after criticizing the mayor's plan to have the city represent him in the case. Hinds-Radix defended the mayor's right to representation as a former Transit Authority employee but was reluctant to have city lawyers represent Adams and was displeased with being compelled to do so.

The Adams administration has defended their likely choice for the city's top lawyer, Randy Mastro, even as the majority of the City Council said they will not approve his nomination. Mastro is known as a tough lawyer who has represented controversial clients, including the state of New Jersey in a lawsuit against the city's congestion pricing plan and former Governor Chris Christie in the Bridgegate trial. The City Council's Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus wrote a letter stating that Mastro is unfit to serve as the city's chief lawyer due to his professional track record.

Why this matters: The resignation of the Corporation Counsel and the controversy surrounding the potential nomination of Randy Mastro highlight the ongoing tensions between Mayor Adams and the City Council. The legal defense of the mayor in the sexual misconduct lawsuit has become a contentious issue, with concerns raised about the appropriateness of using city resources for the case.

Mayor Adams' top adviser, Ingrid Lewis Martin, has confirmed that Hinds-Radix is departing and that the administration is considering Mastro as her successor. The news of Mastro's potential appointment as corporation counsel was met with backlash from the New York City Council, with members expressing doubts about his confirmation. The impending change in the Corporation Counsel's office comes as Adams is looking to launch a more aggressive legal strategy against several high-profile lawsuits, including the sexual misconduct suit filed against him.

Key Takeaways

• NYC's top lawyer Brendan McGuire forced to resign after questioning city's defense of Mayor Adams
• Previous counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix also pushed out for criticizing city's representation of Adams
• Mayor Adams likely to nominate controversial attorney Randy Mastro as new corporation counsel
• City Council opposes Mastro's nomination due to his track record of representing controversial clients
• Tensions between Mayor Adams and City Council over legal defense of mayor in sexual misconduct suit