One day after being hired by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Catherine Almonte Da Costa submitted her resignation after antisemitic statements in old Twitter posts dating back to 2011 surfaced Thursday.
Mamdani transition sources tell NBC New York that he and his transition were unaware of the posts when they appointed Da Costa Wednesday.
When Mamdani put Da Costa in charge of hiring for the City she pledged to recruit diverse talent.
“They have to reflect the rich diversity of race faith ethnicity that defines this City,” she said at the time.
But today, 33-year-old Da Costa was apologizing for antisemitic posts dating back to when she was 18 years old. The posts were uncovered by Timmy Facciola in a story on Substack. Soon after, Da Costa took down her Twitter account.
In a statement released by the Mamdani transition team, Da Costa said: “As the mother of two Jewish children, I deeply regret and apologize for these tweets from well over a decade ago. These comments do not in any way shape or form reflect who I am or my views and beliefs today.”
Some Jewish groups including the Anti-Defamation League are demanding an explanation from Mamdani.
Nevertheless, in an updated statement from Da Costa to NBC New York, she said she had spoken with Mamdani this afternoon, apologized, and expressed deep regret, saying that since this has become a distraction from the work at hand she offered her resignation.
Mamdani subsequently issued his own statement, saying: “Catherine expressed her deep remorse over her past statements and tendered her resignation, and I accepted.”
DaCosta had years of private sector experience shaping leadership strategies for corporations. A Dominican immigrant raised in Queens she previously indicated she has already been helping Mamdani with hiring.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
