De Blasio Searches for Corrections Chief as Rikers Resurfaces
While Mayor Bill de Blasio fends off criticism over his timeline to close Rikers Island, his administration appears no closer to finding a new corrections chief, with some critics worrying he will push the decision until after the November election.
The mayor has been under pressure to find a new commissioner since May, when then-Commissioner Joseph Ponte announced he would resign, weeks after an investigation revealed several high-ranking officials, including Ponte, had abused city-issued car vehicle privileges.
Now, a fresh round of attacks over the mayor’s management of Rikers — from Democratic challenger Sal Albanese to Gov. Andrew Cuomo — have highlighted the fact there is no permanent pick to lead the Department of Correction and manage the Rikers transition . . .