The immigration problems facing the City have generated a conflict between the Adams administration and other City agencies. City Comptroller Brad Lander is the latest to question the mayor’s financial decisions.
In a letter obtained by our network, Lander revoked Adams’ emergency powers to make deals with various migrant services contractors without the approval of his office.
This was a power that the mayor requested in the summer of 2022. He says he asked for the power because he needed to speed up the municipal response to the rapid number of asylum seekers arriving in the five boroughs, and he did not have time to wait for approval.
A mayoral spokesperson criticized Controller Lander’s decision, saying that they are tying their hands behind their backs.
Lander and other elected officials criticized the mayor for the contract he signed with the medical services company DocGo.
That contract was valued at more than $430 million.
State Attorney General Letitia James’ office eventually launched an investigation into DovGo over allegations that it mistreated and deceived migrants, and the company’s CEO resigned in September.
Lander’s office retroactively rejected that contract, but the city continues to work with DocGo.
