Former aide suing Eric Adams joins Mamdani administration

Hassan Naveed, a former New York City hate crimes prevention chief who was fired in 2024 and is suing former Mayor Eric Adams for religious discrimination, has joined the Mamdani administration as chief of staff to Deputy Mayor Renita Francois. The city continues to defend Adams in the lawsuit, creating a conflict as Naveed works for the same government he is suing. The Law Department is reviewing whether taxpayer funds should cover legal representation for Adams and other defendants.