NYC Mayor, DOE Head Hired Each Other's Romantic Partners: Report

NEW YORK CITY — City Hall officials blasted what they called a “sexist” and “vile” report over how Mayor Eric Adams and Chancellor David Banks hired each others’ romantic partners to work lucrative top jobs.

Hour after the New York Post published the story Sunday, mayor’s office spokesperson Fabien Levy defended the women and argued against accusations of nepotism in a blistering statement against the tabloid.

“The New York Post owes both women an immediate apology,” he said.

The Post reported that Adams’ longtime partner — Tracey Collins — recently, and quietly, received a promotion to a Department of Education position that hauls in $221,597 a year.

Meanwhile, Chancellor David Banks’ partner Sheena Wright works as a deputy mayor and makes $251,982, the Post reported.

Accusations of nepotism with Adams’ administration have been rampant since the mayor hired his brother to head his security detail.

But it appears the Post’s recent story struck a nerve.

Levy’s lengthy statement argued that Wright, who served as CEO of United Way of NYC, is an Ivy League-educated public servant with a long record of accomplishments.

All Post employees involved in the story should be ashamed for insinuating she received her deputy mayor position in return for “sleeping” with their long-term partner, Levy said.

“This sexist rhetoric and vile insinuation are beyond the pale and have no place in public discourse,” he said.

Collins, who has a low profile as the city’s unofficial First Lady, is a veteran educator with 30 years experience, Levy said.

She applied for a publicly posted, competitive position after a retirement this spring in the education department’s Division of School Leadership, Levy said. The application process was “rigorous” and did not include City Hall’s oversight, he said.

DOE has made clear that she was, far and away, the most qualified of all applicants for the position, which is why she was the only finalist presented to Chancellor Banks. Once again, it is flat out sexist and vile to suggest an accomplished, highly trained, lifelong public servant was only given this position because of who her long-time partner may be.

“DOE has made clear that she was, far and away, the most qualified of all applicants for the position, which is why she was the only finalist presented to Chancellor Banks,” Levy said.

“Once again, it is flat out sexist and vile to suggest an accomplished, highly trained, lifelong public servant was only given this position because of who her long-time partner may be.”