Randy Mastro has not even been formally nominated to be the city's next top lawyer and he is already on a bumpy political ride.

On Tuesday, a top City Hall official unexpectedly announced a delay in Mastro being potentially nominated for corporation counsel.

“It's not a fear in terms of nominating Randy Mastro. It's out of respect for the council. We work in partnership,” Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the mayor’s chief adviser, said during a press conference Tuesday.

What You Need To Know

  • On Tuesday, a top City Hall official said the nomination of Randy Mastro was being withheld due to the ongoing budget negotiations
  • Mastro, a former aide to Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is being potentially considered for corporation counsel, the city's top attorney
  • Local lawmakers have pushed back against Mastro joining the administration, citing his previous legal work
  • The delay of Mastro comes as the City Council is set to hold a hearing on Wednesday over expanding council oversight power over mayoral appointments

Lewis-Martin said that in conversations with the City Council, Mayor Eric Adams and his administration were notified that lawmakers needed time to deal with the budget first — which is due at the end of next month — before moving on to Mastro.

But a City Council source later told Spectrum NY1 that the Adams administration was misstating the conversations.

The source acknowledged that City Council told the administration that it would not be considering any appointments in May until after executive budget hearings.

But the source also said that communication never mentioned anything specifically about Mastro.

Adams and his senior officials insisted the delay is all part of the process and not a sign of tension.

However, some members of the City Council have been vocal about their opposition to Mastro, citing his previous legal work and membership in the cabinet of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

“Once we make a determination of who we're going to put in front of them, we're going to announce it publicly. It's all part of the process and it's going to be fine,” Adams said Tuesday.

“They have advice and consent for this issue, so out of respect for the fact that they need time, we're giving them time and we'll move forward when it's appropriate,” Lewis-Martin added.

The news of Mastro's delay in being nominated comes just one day before the City Council is expected to hold a hearing on a bill that would expand its oversight over mayoral appointments.

The hearing is taking place the same day the city's Charter Revision Commission will hold its first public meeting.

The commission will review the city’s charter and potentially propose amendments. Adams said the topics the commission will focus on will include public safety and fiscal stability.

“There’s always things that we can do to run our city agencies better — our city better. I want them to look at everything. This is exciting when you do a charter commission,” Adams said.

The mayor also emphasized Tuesday that he and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams have a good working relationship.

“There’s stuff we disagree on, but 98% of the stuff we agree on and we’re able to get it done,” Mayor Adams said.