Mayor Adams announces Randy Mastro as controversial pick for city's top lawyer

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced his nomination of Randy Mastro as the city’s top lawyer on Tuesday.

The announcement comes despite the City Council’s opposition to Mastro, with some council members already vowing to veto the mayor’s pick for Corporation Counsel. 

Mastro sat down exclusively with PIX11’s Dan Manarino on Tuesday for his first interview since the nomination. 

The former federal prosecutor boasted his four decades of experience and outlined his plan to revamp the city’s Law Department and shift to more affirmative litigation. As the city’s top lawyer, Mastro said he would focus on cases of social justice, civil rights, worker rights, and consumer affairs and work to combat gang and gun violence.

Even before the mayor’s formal announcement, there was backlash over his pick. Some have speculated that Adams may be choosing Mastro because he has previously advocated for the mayor in the courtroom and could be helpful to have on board as Corporation Counsel, as the mayor is currently under federal investigation. 

“The Corporation Counsel represents the city as a whole, it's not the mayor’s lawyer, it’s not any one official’s lawyer, it’s representing the whole city government,” Mastro said, assuring he would not have anything to do with Adams' federal investigation.

The City Council's Black, Latino, and Asian caucus has also pushed back against the mayor's pick for his previous alignment with what they call "dubious clients."

“Given his professional track record representing dubious clients, which has included bringing numerous lawsuits against the City of New York, Mastro is unfit to serve as the city’s chief lawyer,” the caucus said in a statement. 

Mastro previously served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Rudy Giuliani and currently represents the state of New Jersey in a federal lawsuit against the city's congestion pricing plan. He has also defended former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the Fort Lee lane closure scandal, in which his staff members were accused of intentionally causing traffic jams on the George Washington Bridge.

“He is a nationally-renowned lawyer, with an impressive record in government service, a long-time pro bono advocate for social justice, civil rights and constitutional rights, a leader of revered civic organizations, a proven leader committed to diversity and inclusion, and a life-long Democrat,” a press secretary for the mayor said in a statement.

Following Adams' nomination, Mastro now awaits City Council approval.