NYC’s top attorney has formally resigned from her post weeks after it emerged that the Adams administration was trying to replace her with the controversial litigator Randy Mastro, The Post has learned.
In a lengthy farewell email to the Law Department Thursday, Sylvia Hinds-Radix thanked her staff for their work on shutting down cannabis shops, the lawsuits against social media companies and Con Edison’s property tax bill challenge and ghost-gun legal battles.
“As Corporation Counsel, I have seen up close your deep expertise across dozens of specialized areas, your steadfast dedication to the rule of law, and unwavering commitment to protect the interests of the City and its residents,” Hinds-Radix wrote in the correspondence, obtained by The Post.
“I thank you for your exceptional contributions, which have helped the Law Department remain a beacon of public service.”
Muriel Goode-Trufant, the first assistant corporation counsel, will take over in an acting role, according to the Law Department.
Hinds-Radix was blindsided by the news of City Hall bringing in Mastro to replace her as Corporation Counsel last month, The Post previously reported.
Sources said that her relationship with the administration had soured after raising concerns with legal matters, including the city repping the mayor in a sex assault lawsuit and the closing of Rikers.
Mastro has proved to be a controversial pick for the prestigious spot with a number of councilmembers lining up to vow to shoot down his confirmation, raising concerns that his aggressive style would be used solely to defend the mayor.
Council members were also unhappy with how Hinds-Radix was forced out.
But City Hall had argued that the bulldog litigator would use his skills to fiercely defend all aspects of the city as the head of the Law Department.
For the past few weeks, the administration has tried to win over members of the council in closed-door meetings with Mastro, sources told The Post.
Mayor Eric Adams has yet to formally put forward Mastro, who served as chief of staff and deputy mayor for Rudy Giuliani, as his replacement for Hinds-Radix despite making the case public and privately for the veteran litigator for more than six weeks.
Adams’ top advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin told reporters in City Hall on Tuesday they had held off on submitting him for Corporation Counsel because the council had asked for more time.
“It’s out of respect for the council,” she said. “Jeremy [John] and I had a very extensive conversation and he explained that the Council needed time before we can bring him forward because they needed to deal with the budget and things of that nature.”
Both sides in City Hall need to hammer out a deal by the end of June for the next fiscal year’s budget.
And, for the last few weeks, council members have spent much of their time in City Hall grilling officials during annual budget hearings.
Council spokesman Mandela Jones confirmed later that John had only told administration officials the council wouldn’t have time for any confirmation hearings as they work on the budget.
City Hall did not immediately respond for comment.