NYC Mayor Eric Adams' top aide Tim Pearson is latest senior member to leave administration
NEW YORK (WABC) -- One of Eric Adams' closest aides resigned late Monday, just days after the New York City Mayor was indicted on corruption charges.
Timothy Pearson is the fifth senior member of the administration to announce his departure in the past three weeks.
Pearson, a former high-ranking official in the police department, served as a senior advisor on public safety to the mayor.
He's been named in multiple lawsuits as he's currently under investigation by another City agency for his role in a brawl at a shelter for homeless migrants.
The FBI had seized his phone a month ago and served him a subpoena.
Pearson adds to a list of resignations from Adams camp, including former police commissioner Edward Caban, schools chancellor David Banks, chief legal advisor Lisa Sternberg, and health commissioner Ashwin Vasan.
Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have demonstrated "appalling disregard" for Adams' rights and should be sanctioned by the court, defense attorneys said Tuesday in a new court filing.
The mayor's lawyers accused prosecutors of leaking grand jury material and other sensitive information in "brazen violations" of the rules.
Defense attorney Alex Spiro asked for an evidentiary hearing and sanctions.
Adams is due in court Wednesday for an initial hearing with the trial judge. He has already sought to dismiss the bribery charge, arguing his alleged conduct does not meet the legal definition of bribery.
Adams has pleaded not guilty to a five count indictment accusing him of engaging in a years long conspiracy to take illegal foreign money.
ABC News' Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.
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