Banks, the deputy mayor for public safety, resigned following the mayor’s indictment last month on charges including bribery and wire fraud. Adams has continued to run the city but has faced some calls to step down.
Adams said Monday on Spectrum News NY1 that he spoke to Banks that morning and the day before.
“He stated he wants to transition, do some other things with his life and he doesn’t want this to be a constant burden on the work that we’re doing in this city,” Adams said. “I wish my good friend well.”
Adams appointed Banks in 2022 to be a deputy mayor coordinating public-safety matters with city agencies. Banks had been the city’s chief of department, the top-ranking uniformed police official, until he retired in 2014.
He didn’t immediately return a request for comment Monday.