One of New York City Mayor de Blasio's top aides is departing City Hall.
Peter Ragone, a senior adviser, is leaving the administration at the end of the month.
Ragone ran de Blaiso's communications team, shaped the mayor's public image and was one of the mayor's closest advisers.
He and the mayor have been friends for decades. Ragone was formerly top aide to Gavin Newsom, ex-mayor of San Francisco.
Ragone plans to return to California, where his family lives and where he frequently commuted on weekends.
Phil Walzak, currently the mayor's press secretary, will step into Ragone's role as senior adviser for strategic planning.
A successor for Walzak has not been named.
Local
Ragone's departure is the first major staff shake-up at de Blasio's City Hall.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
