New York City’s Corporation Counsel, Sylvia Hinds-Radix, has resigned following a dispute over the city’s representation of Mayor Adams in a sex assault lawsuit. The tension between Hinds-Radix and City Hall escalated as she expressed concerns about using the Law Department to defend the mayor in the case, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Sources reveal that City Hall had even requested Hinds-Radix’s resignation, but she refused, leading to further strain in their relationship. However, it was the unexpected news reports of her replacement by Randy Mastro, former chief of staff and deputy mayor for Rudy Giuliani, that ultimately prompted her resignation.
Hinds-Radix, who was appointed during the first week of the Adams administration, is expected to step down from her position this week. Sources indicate that she was deeply upset by the public manner in which her departure unfolded. While details of another legal dispute she had pushed back on remain unconfirmed, sources suggest that City Hall had grown increasingly frustrated with her repeated opposition.
Mayor Adams, during his weekly off-topic press conference, denied any disagreements between himself and Hinds-Radix. However, behind closed doors, Hinds-Radix vehemently opposed the use of city lawyers to represent the mayor and was unhappy about being compelled to do so, according to sources.
In response to Hinds-Radix’s reservations, City Hall enlisted the services of celebrity attorney Alex Spiro, who took a more aggressive approach in the case. Spiro attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed and sought to depose the plaintiff, Lorna Beach-Mathura, who alleges that Mayor Adams, then a transit cop, solicited oral sex and exposed himself to her in the early 1990s.
Adams has consistently denied the allegations, defending the use of city attorneys for his defense. Hinds-Radix, who could not be reached for comment, had previously clarified that the Law Department has the discretion to decide whether to represent a city employee accused of misconduct unrelated to their official duties.
News of the administration’s intention to bring in Randy Mastro, known for his tenacity and legal acumen, broke on April 16. However, Mayor Adams faces an uphill battle in appointing Mastro as corporation counsel, as his confirmation requires a majority vote from the New York City Council. Some council members have already expressed their opposition to Mastro’s confirmation.
