Molina out as DOC boss

Louis MOlina was moved by the mayor from department of correction commissioner to assistant deputy mayor for public safety on tuesday. FILE PHOTO JOHN MCCARTEN/NYC COUNCIL MEDIA UNIt

By Jacob Kaye

Louis Molina, the commissioner of the city’s troubled Department of Correction, is out as DOC head and has been promoted to serve as the mayor’s assistant deputy mayor of public safety, the mayor’s office announced just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Molina’s new role in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration comes after a rocky tenure leading the correction department over the past year and 10 months.

Molina’s first year with the DOC was the deadliest year on Rikers Island in a decade. His second year has largely been defined by the ever-growing threat of a federal takeover of the jail, which both he and Adams have insisted is not necessary. Nonetheless, the federal judge overseeing the ongoing civil rights case and the federal monitor she appointed have scolded Molina at several points over the past several months for what they say has been increased defiance of oversight and court orders.

According to the mayor’s office, Molina will report directly to Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Philip Banks in his new role, which he will officially take at some point in November. Molina will be “tasked with coordinating with all city agencies on public safety matters to ensure they align with Mayor Adams’ vision to keep every New Yorker safe,” according to a release from the mayor’s office.

Molina’s successor at the DOC has not been named, though one should be appointed in the coming weeks, according to city officials.

Check back with the Eagle for more on Molina’s move and his tenure at the DOC.