Tracey Collins, the romantic partner of Mayor Eric Adams, has stepped down from her senior position at the Education Department amid serious allegations regarding her attendance and undisclosed luxury travel benefits. The retirement, although low-key, marks a significant moment in the continuing scrutiny of Collins’ role within the administration.
Following a substantial promotion and a pay increase of approximately $50,000 after Adams assumed office in 2022, Collins officially concluded her tenure on November 1, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the department. This swift exit raises eyebrows given the timing and accompanying allegations.
Her retirement was prompted by a tip-off from a former department employee, who disclosed to city investigators that Collins essentially held a “no-show” position. This complaint, first reported by the New York Post and later highlighted by Chalkbeat, noted that Collins had been absent from her duties since last Thanksgiving, a concerning absence that has drawn considerable attention.
Confirming the existence of the complaint, a spokesperson for the Special Commissioner of Investigation indicated that they are actively looking into the allegations. In addition, the Department of Investigation is reviewing the claims, as reported by the Daily News, which broke the story of Collins’ retirement, heightening public interest in the case.
Evidence appears to corroborate concerns about Collins’ job performance, with records revealing that in the eight months following her promotion to senior advisor within the Division of School Leadership, around three-quarters of her work calendar were alarmingly devoid of entries. In contrast, her calendar included just about 40 scheduled meetings, which involved crucial discussions such as performance reviews for superintendents and strategic meetings to address the needs of migrant students.
Education Department officials have stated that they cannot provide updated versions of Collins’ daily schedule until February, despite previous assurances that records would be available shortly. This lack of transparency is emblematic of broader issues surrounding the department’s handling of public records requests.
Collins has not publicly commented on her retirement, and Nathaniel Styer, a spokesperson for the Education Department, did not provide specific reasons for her departure. In a statement, Styer emphasized Collins’ lengthy career serving public school students in various capacities and extended wishes for a fulfilling retirement.
Collins’ sudden rise to prominence has only intensified in light of the mayor’s recent federal indictment, which accuses her of benefiting from significant travel advantages allegedly provided by Turkish officials who were attempting to curry favor with Adams. Notably, these travel perks were not reported on Collins’ financial disclosure forms, as required by law—a lapse also observed in Adams’ filings.
Although Collins has not been charged with any crimes related to this investigation, uncertainty remains regarding potential scrutiny from the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board, which has refrained from confirming any inquiry into the matter.
Doubts surrounding Collins’ role within the Education Department flared soon after her promotion in 2022, which saw her salary rise to approximately $221,000 as a senior advisor. Additionally, she recently benefited from a pay increase, bringing her compensation to nearly $253,000, reflecting the ongoing discussions about ethical practices within city government.
This summer, Collins transitioned from her position in the Division of School Leadership to serve as a senior advisor for the deputy chancellor of family and community engagement, a role previously held by Melissa Aviles-Ramos, who has since been appointed as schools chancellor after the abrupt resignation of David Banks last month amid mounting pressures from the mayor.
Alex Zimmerman is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Alex at azimmerman@chalkbeat.org.
**Interview with Political Analyst Jane Smith on Tracey Collins’ Retirement**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Jane. Let’s dive right in. Tracey Collins, who recently retired from her senior role at the NYC Department of Education, is also Mayor Eric Adams’s longtime girlfriend. What are the implications of her stepping down, especially with the pending allegations against her?
**Jane Smith:** Thank you for having me. Collins’ retirement is quite significant, not just because of her connection to Mayor Adams, but also due to the serious allegations surrounding her attendance and the nature of her position. The fact that she was promoted shortly after Adams took office, combined with the allegations of her having a ”no-show” job, raises questions about political influence and accountability within the administration.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the allegations. Can you elaborate on the nature of these claims and how they might impact public perception of the mayor’s leadership?
**Jane Smith:** Sure. The allegations stem from a complaint by a former employee, stating that Collins had been largely absent from her duties since last Thanksgiving, which is concerning for someone in a senior advisory role. This situation not only casts doubt on her professionalism but also reflects on Mayor Adams’s leadership. When close associates face scrutiny, it inevitably raises questions about his vetting process and oversight.
**Interviewer:** There’s also a concern about public transparency, particularly regarding Collins’ work records. What does the lack of available documentation say about the department under her tenure?
**Jane Smith:** The inability of the Education Department to provide updated records, despite assurances, is troubling. It indicates a potential culture of opacity that can erode public trust. When officials claim to be transparent but then fail to deliver, it creates more doubt and potentially suggests that there’s something to hide. This could lead to skepticism about the integrity of the entire department.
**Interviewer:** How do you foresee this situation developing? Could Collins’ retirement affect Mayor Adams’s future prospects or credibility?
**Jane Smith:** This is definitely a situation to watch. If investigations validate the claims against Collins, it could lead to broader scrutiny of Adams’s administration and policy decisions. Depending on the outcome, it can either harm his credibility or, if he can distance himself from the situation successfully, allow him to regain focus on his agenda. However, the ongoing concerns about ethics and management within his administration won’t simply disappear with her retirement; they will linger and affect public perception moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jane, for shedding light on the complexities of this situation. It’s certainly a pivotal moment for both Tracey Collins and Mayor Adams.
**Jane Smith:** Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a critical time, and we will have to see how both the investigations and public reaction unfold.
