Tom Pearson, confidant and top adviser to embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resigned Monday, the New York Daily News reported. Pearson is one of several officials, including the mayor, who are caught up in a federal corruption probe.
In his resignation letter, Pearson said his last day would be Friday. He said the reason was so that he could "focus on family, self-care and new endeavors."
However, this move comes just days after Adams was indicted on bribery charges and nearly a month after Pearson had his devices seized. It also follows a spate of resignations of those surrounding the mayor, including New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who have stepped down amid the scandal.
“I've decided to focus on family, self-care, and new endeavors, I have decided to resign, effective Friday, October 4, 2024.”
Resignation letter from Mayor Adams Senior Aide Tim Pearson #mayoradams @fox5ny pic.twitter.com/whNwjgcKo3
— Linda Schmidt (@LSchmidtFox5) October 1, 2024
Pearson used his resignation letter and as an opportunity to tout his achievements while ignoring the scandals. "I played a critical role in ensuring quality assurance for migrant services and security issues, with particular oversight of shelter sites and migrant contracts, with a focus on keeping costs down for the city," Pearson claimed.
The New York Post reported that Adams similarly glossed over the accusations in a statement about Pearson's resignation. "Tim has had a long career in both the public and private sectors, where he has spent over 30 years keeping New Yorkers safe," Adams said Monday.
The mayor's longtime friend is under investigation for his actions serving in the Economic Development Corporation and later heading a new unit Adams created called the Municipal Services Assessment Division. Here, he allegedly received kickbacks and engaged in influence peddling in exchange for New York City government contracts.
Beyond the federal probe, Pearson is the subject of four separate lawsuits. One of the lawsuits pertains to his activity in the mayor's office and includes an incriminating comment Pearson allegedly made about his position.
"People are doing very well on these contracts. I have to get mine. Where are my crumbs?" Pearson allegedly said, revealing his motives.
The mayor's aide has a history of legal problems beyond the current scandal. In 2022, Pearson was employed with Resorts World Casino in Queens while receiving a city salary for his full-time job there.
He avoided further problems by simply resigning from the casino. However, trouble would find him again in October 2023 when he got into a physical altercation with two security guards at a migrant shelter.
The security guards were arrested, but Person was later under scrutiny for allegedly starting the incident and shoving a female guard. He also has a history of throwing his weight around when he's backed into a corner.
In March, Roxanne Ludemann sued Pearson for sexual harassment. Then, her two witnesses, Sgt. Michael Ferrari and Lt. George Huang, initiated their own lawsuit after Pearson allegedly retaliated against them for supporting Ludemann.
While the mayor has yet to resign, Pearson has done the right thing by leaving his post as the accusations pile up. If any of these allegations are true, the people of New York City deserve to see justice done and better leaders in place.
