We’re glad to see City Councilman Ritchie Torres vowing to “protect the independence” of the city Department of Investigation in the wake of the latest news on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s drive to axe DOI Commissioner Mark Peters.
Nearly a year ago, The Post reported that the mayor was itching to get rid of Peters after the DOI exposed significant scandals at the Housing Authority, Administration for Children’s Services and the Mayor’s Office for Contract Services, among others.
In April, we wrote that de Blasio had ordered his staff to review ways to finally send Peters packing. Now Post sources confirm that Corporation Counsel Zachary Carter did his best by preparing a dossier listing three incidents of supposed “abusive behavior” by Peters.
Consisting mostly of alleged over-the-top threats made in wrangling over office space, they don’t add up to much, which may be why the mayor so far has held back.
Plus, pulling the trigger would touch off a messy and embarrassing public airing.
By law, de Blasio can only fire a DOI commissioner for cause, and must give his reasons in writing. The commissioner can respond at a hearing, and the City Council ultimately has final approval.
And Torres just showed why the council wouldn’t OK it: Exposing this administration’s systemic mismanagement is not grounds for removal.
Despite a few missteps, Peters has done his job credibly and honestly — more so than we and others initially expected, since he’d served as treasurer for de Blasio’s 2013 campaign.
When he first appointed Peters, the mayor hailed him as “a man with immense personal integrity” who would protect the rights of all New Yorkers.
Now he wants to get rid of one of the few commissioners who’s performed exactly as advertised. Typical Bill de Blasio.