Statement from NYC Comptroller Lander on Adams Aide Reportedly Blocking Vital Services to Asylum Seekers

New York, NY — In response to the report that Tim Pearson, a top advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, intentionally held up a multi-million-dollar contract between Health & Hospitals and Cherokee Nation Management & Consulting that would connect asylum seekers with caseworkers, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement: 

“New reporting shows that vital services for asylum seekers—including the kind of legal assistance that could have helped immigrant families get work authorization and move out of shelter—were intentionally delayed due to interference from a member of Mayor Adams’s inner circle. 

“This is yet another example of how this administration is failing our city. Last week, my office released a 4-step plan to prevent this kind of corruption and abuse in City contracting.

“Our recommendations include instituting mandated procurement timelines so that individuals can no longer delay contracts or the delivery of vital services, like this.” 

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