De Blasio Denies Reports Of Friction With Top NYPD Cop
NEW YORK CITY — Mayor Bill de Blasio denied he bore any blame for the abrupt resignation of a NYPD top cop.
The ink was barely dry on Patrol Chief Fausto Pichardo’s letter of resignation when de Blasio faced questions over it Wednesday morning. Hizzoner cast doubt on numerous reports his meddling and action prompted Pichardo to quit.
“He made very clear to me that this is a personal family decision,” de Blasio said of Pichardo.
Pichardo, the NYPD’s highest-ranking Hispanic officer, was only in his current position since December — a span which covered the coronavirus pandemic and months of mass protests.
Numerous outlets — such as the New York Post — reported that Pichardo grew tired of de Blasio’s micromanagement. Those reports specifically cited a recent incident in which de Blasio chewed out Pichardo for missing a phone call after a 36-hour shift.
De Blasio said those reports were “just not accurate.” He attributed them to the rumor mill churning small facts into a big story.
“The bottom line here is, he's making a personal decision,” he said. “It is unusual, obviously, someone who had a very bright future ahead, but he's making a decision for family reasons.”
De Blasio said Pichardo would speak about his resignation. He had not as of Wednesday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on the New York City Patch
