Resorts World New York City ‘parts ways’ with executive who serves as advisor to Mayor Adams, drawing city salary

The gambling company confirmed Pearson’s departure on Sunday, following the revelation last week that their top security official was serving as a public safety advisor to the mayor while getting paid by the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Pearson’s gig with the city’s economic development arm raised ethics concerns as Resorts World is seeking to expand its gambling operations in Queens.

A source familiar with the matter told The Post Sunday that Pearson, who worked with Adams during their days at the NYPD, never informed his bosses that he was moonlighting and getting paid by EDC.

Company brass were aware that Pearson, the security director at Resorts World for 10 years, had served as an unpaid adviser on Adams’ transition team as the mayor prepared to enter City Hall in January, according to the source. Pearson was hired by EDC on May 31.

“Tim is a distinguished hero who served the City for many years as a leader at NYPD,” Resorts World said in a statement on Sunday. “Tim used those same skills to keep our facility and community safe for over a decade. We support his decision to lend his expertise to the City in its pursuit of making our streets safer, and we wish him well.”

Resorts World is expected to apply for one of three new downstate casino licenses, which would allow it to expand its slots operation attached to the Aqueduct Raceway in Queens to also offer wagers on table games.

That made Pearson’s dual role untenable, the insider said. Casino operators and developers have been lobbying Adams, who will have a say on where a gaming house is located. They are also attempting to woo Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose administration will play a big role in the process.

Under state law, a local siting board will be activated in an area where a casino is being proposed or expanded. The board — which includes the mayor, borough president, council member, state senator and state assembly person — has power to block or approve the new casino licenses.

By Carl Campanile and Bernadette Hogan