Mark Peters, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s pick to head the city’s watchdog agency, was questioned at a City Council committee hearing Thursday about his close relationship with the mayor and his ability to be independent.

Peters, a partner at Edwards Wildman Palmer, was nominated to serve as commissioner of the Department of Investigation (DOI), which investigates city employees and contractors who may be engaged in corrupt or unethical activities. The position pays $205,180 a year.