City Hall to tap eight-year NYC DOC veteran as new commissioner: sources
The next commissioner of the city’s Department of Corrections may soon be named as a possible federal takeover of the embattled Rikers Island jail system looms, according to sources.
Officials reportedly anticipate promoting eight-year DOC veteran Lynelle Maginley-Liddie from her dual role as first deputy commissioner and chief diversity officer as outgoing Commissioner Louis Molina transitions to his new City Hall job.
“Not official yet but it looks like it will be soon,” DOC sources told The Post.
Maginley-Liddie would be stepping into a tough spot as feds appear keen to take over troubled jails due to disturbing, sometimes deadly conditions at Rikers Island and a significant drop in staffing.
The DOC referred requests for comment to City Hall, which would not speak about the impending promotion.
“No appointment is confirmed until it’s formally announced,” City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak said.
Maginley-Liddie could not be reached by The Post.
Maginley-Liddie joined the DOC as an agency attorney in the legal division and quickly rose through the ranks.
Throughout her eight-year tenure, she served as the department’s deputy general counsel and acting senior deputy commissioner, the latter role of which saw her spearhead the DOC staff’s access to on-site COVID-19 vaccinations, according to her government biography.
The Fordham University School of Law grad has been serving as the first deputy commissioner since 2021, serving underneath Molina since he stepped into the head role in January 2022.
Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Phil Banks said on Friday that Molina would soon make the transition to City Hall, where he will work in Banks’ office as the new assistant deputy mayor to public safety.
Banks said the mayor would be announcing the change in a “pretty short order” but would not elaborate as to what the time frame meant.
Sources initially expected Kat Thomson, the DOC’s chief of staff and former FDNY assistant commissioner, to take over when Molina’s departure was first announced in October.
Officials praised Molina’s single year of leadership at the DOC as successful — despite 28 inmates dying in custody at Rikers Island under his tenure.
Earlier this year, Molina tried — and failed — to shelve a scathing report about how the DOC handled five incidents, including the death of an inmate, that took place in the city’s jail system over a six-month period.
Staffing in New York City jails has plummeted by about 25% from two years ago. The Correction Officers Benevolent Association union head claimed the reduced staffing is one of the main reasons the jail system is still struggling.
The plethora of problems has only intensified the looming threat of a federal takeover.
The feds and the city are battling in court over the prospect, which Mayor Eric Adams strongly opposes.
