NYC’s top lawyer ‘pushed out’ as Mayor Adams eyes ex-Giuliani deputy who helped clear Christie in Bridgegate scandal

New York’s top lawyer is being “pushed out” by the Adams administration in favor of a veteran litigator — who once served as chief of staff and deputy mayor for Rudy Giuliani, The Post has learned.

The city’s current corporation counsel, Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix, who has been in the role for the past two and a half years, is expected to be replaced by Randy Mastro — but not by choice, sources revealed.

“They’ve been trying to force her out because she’s not the puppet they wanted her to be,” a political source told The Post anonymously.

The city is in the final stages of hiring Mastro, who served as a former federal prosecutor. He is most recently known for his role in successfully helping clear Republican former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie of criminal charges in the Bridgegate scandal .

“Randy Mastro got a million-dollar retainer to clear Chris Christie in Bridgegate. Mayor Adams thinks Mastro can do the same for him,” Democratic political operative Ken Frydman told the Post.

It is unclear what the city, if anything, has offered Mastro. He would likely take a large pay cut, however, with the corporation counsel earning $253,000 a year.

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Hinds-Radix denied any tension between her and the Adams administration to The Post last week and said “not sure where you’re getting that.”

The Post contacted Hinds-Radix for comment following the news of Mastro, but did not immediately hear back.

Mastro met with City Hall aides to discuss the job and the city’s Department of Investigation has been notified that he’s expected to join the administration, an anonymous source told the New York Times .

Another source familiar with the matter told the outlet that Mastro is likely to take the opportunity and has already notified his law firm, King & Spalding, about his likely departure.

Mastro has earned a reputation as a ferocious legal opponent and was notably hired in 2014 by Christie to conduct an internal review of the George Washington Bridge lane closings.

He’s also representing New Jersey in its opposition to the congestion pricing plan which will see drivers entering Midtown Manhattan charged $15 and trucks anywhere from $24 to $36.

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Mastro donated $2,100 to Adams’ re-election campaign last October, after already donating to his first mayoral campaign in 2021.

His appointment will still need to be confirmed by City Council.

The Post has contacted King & Spalding and City Council members for comment.

“No appointment is confirmed until and if it is announced,” city spokesperson Fabien Levy said.

Mastro’s new position would be part of the corporation counsel who leads the Law Department and provides legal counsel to the administration.

Hinds-Radix was appointed to the position in January 2022 and had previously served as an associate justice of the New York State Appellate Division and led the Mayor’s swearing-in.

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She has appeared by the mayor’s side at news conferences but was noticeably absent on Tuesday, the Times reported.

She and her office have so far been representing Hizzoner in a sexual assault lawsuit which accuses him of assaulting a colleague while as a police officer in 1993. He has vehemently denied the allegations.

In January, Hinds-Radix announced a lawsuit against transportation companies that brought migrants to the city seeking costs for caring for them as the administration buckles under the pressure of the mass influx.

Adams has also been resisting a federal takeover of Rikers as well as looking down the barrel of a number of legal woes — as top officials in his administration face a series of investigations.

A federal examination has been launched into Adams’ campaign ties to the Turkish government and flight upgrades from Turkish Airlines .

Meanwhile, Winnie Greco , was placed on leave from her role as Asian affairs director after her home was searched by the FBI in February.

And another top aide, Timothy Pearson , was accused in a lawsuit last month of sexually harassing a police sergeant as well as being investigated over a brawl with a security guard at a Manhattan migrant center.

Pearson has been afforded representation by the city — although he will be represented by outside counsel who is yet to be named, the Times reported.

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