Linda Lacewell, the Superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, has announced her resignation and will leave office on August 24, the same day as departing Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Lacewell has been tied to the sexual harassment claims made against the governor, allegedly helping work to discredit one of the women who had stepped forward and accused Gov. Cuomo.
Lacwell was named the Superintendent of the Department — considered to be one of the most powerful unelected officials in the New York state government, back in 2018 following the departure of Maria Vullo. Prior to being named the Superintendent, Lacewell was Gov. Cuomo’s chief of staff.
“It has been a privilege to lead you over the past two and a half years,” Lacewell wrote in an email to staff, according to a published report. “With a new governor about to take office, it is time for me to move on and make way for new leadership.”
The report indicated that had Lacewell remained in the position once Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul replaced Cuomo on August 24, she would have likely been fired. Hochul has vowed to clean house and remove anyone who was implicated in a report detailing the “toxic” work environment created by Cuomo that was released by New York Attorney General Letitia James, which led to Cuomo’s resignation.
Lacewell also announced she was stepping down from the board of directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees New York’s public transportation system.
There was no indication who might replace Lacewell atop the DFS, which regulates a number of industries, including the accounts receivable management sector.
