The nomination of former deputy mayor Randy Mastro for the position of Corporation Counsel has been withdrawn, following a grueling council hearing that lasted nearly 12 hours. In a letter to Mayor Eric Adams and obtained by The Post, Mastro expressed disappointment with the fairness of the process, saying that it appeared many council members had already made up their minds on whether or not to give him the job before he was formally nominated.
Mastro’s nomination faced opposition from the outset, as council members started lining up against him weeks before his formal submission. Despite multiple closed-door meetings with these representatives, Mastro ultimately could not secure enough votes for confirmation. During the lengthy hearing, Mastro criticized council members for reading prepared scripts and attempting to prevent him from responding to their questions, implying that they had already made decisions unrelated to the merits of his qualifications.
City Council sources informed The Post that prior to the hearing, they had advised the administration there was no chance Mastro would pass the nomination process. Mayor Adams expressed disappointment at the political interference in the process, stating that it deprives New Yorkers of a highly qualified candidate for Corporation Counsel. Adams thanked Mastro for his willingness to serve and the time he devoted to the process over the past few months.
Council member Bob Holden (D-Queens) condemned his fellow lawmakers for their handling of the nomination, labeling it a “politically motivated inquisition.” He claimed that this misconduct is detrimental to New Yorkers who expect professionalism and fairness from their elected officials.
Mastro’s name was first brought up as a potential candidate for Corporation Counsel back in April, after tensions between City Hall and then-top attorney Judge Sylvia Hinds-Radix had escalated. The two clashed over various legal strategies, including the management of Rikers Island’s closure and the representation of Mayor Adams in an ongoing sexual misconduct lawsuit from decades prior.
