New York Note: Replacement Deputy Mayors, Council Passes Legislation, DOJ Hotel Investigation, Lawyer Weighs in on Adams Case

March 17, 2025

New Deputy Mayors Take Office

Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of four new deputy mayors to replace those who resigned last month due to concerns about his ongoing federal corruption indictment. The following appointments were made: Adolfo Carrion, Jr. as DM for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce; Suzanne Miles-Gustave as DM for Health and Human Services; Jeffrey D. Roth as DM for Operations; and Kaz Daughtry as DM for Public Safety. As of last Friday, all four Deputy Mayors have officially begun in their roles.

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Council Passes Legislation On City Foster Care System, IDNYC

The New York City Council took significant steps to strengthen oversight and accountability within the city’s foster care system, particularly for LGBTQ+ youth, who are disproportionately represented in foster care and face heightened risks of discrimination, inadequate support, and homelessness. In addition to foster care reform, the Council also passed legislation to enhance the New York City Identification Card (IDNYC) application process. The newly passed legislation mandates increased training for IDNYC workers and improvements to the online appointment scheduling system.

DOJ Launches Investigation Into Migrant Shelter Hotels

The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into New York City hotels serving as migrant facilities, including the Roosevelt Hotel migrant intake center. The subpoenas request residents’ names, birth dates, and testimony. A legal expert suggests the case may involve a federal harboring statute that prohibits harboring undocumented persons. The investigation surfaced as former Trump border czar Tom Homan met with Republican leaders in Albany, threatening to double ICE agents in New York if Gov. Hochul resists immigration enforcement efforts.

Court-Appointed Counsel Recommends Permanent Dismissal in Adams Case

Paul Clement, a court-appointed attorney, has recommended that Judge Dale Ho permanently dismiss the charges against Mayor Eric Adams, arguing that prosecutors cannot be compelled to continue the case. The Trump administration had sought the ability to refile charges at any time, prompting resignations from career prosecutors. Ho assigned Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general, to provide an independent perspective on the Justice Department’s request to drop the indictment. In a 26-page brief, Clement warned that dismissing the case without prejudice would leave Adams under ongoing legal uncertainty, stating that it was like a “Sword of Damocles” hanging over the mayor.

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