(CN) – Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced Thursday that he is resigning from the Greenberg Traurig law firm, citing the “pressing demands” of the Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Giuliani, who has been under fire for statements he’s made since joining Trump’s legal team, had taken what was to have been a temporary leave from the law firm on April 19.

But according to the New York Times, firm partners were upset after the former mayor told Sean Hannity in a May 2 interview on Fox News that President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, not only paid adult film star Stormy Daniels to ensure her silence before the presidential election, but that such payments were the norm at his firm.

“That was money that was paid by his lawyer, the way I would do, out of his law firm funds,” Giuliani told Hannity. “Michael would take care of things like this like I take care of this with my clients.”

In a statement to the Times, Greenberg Traurig spokeswoman Jill Perry said, “We cannot speak for Mr. Giuliani with respect to what was intended by his remarks.”

“Speaking for ourselves, we would not condone payments of the nature alleged to have been made or otherwise without the knowledge and direction of a client,” Perry said.

On Thursday, Giuliani tried to portray his resignation as good for all concerned.

“This way, my sole concentration can be on this critically important matter for our country,” he said.

In an accompanying statement, Richard Rosenbaum, Greenberg Taurig’s executive chairman, said Giuliani decided to the leave the firm after “recognizing that [his work on Trump’s behalf regarding the Mueller probe] is all consuming and is lasting longer than anticipated.”

“I have great respect for the Mayor’s incredible career and what he has done for New York City and our country for many years and consider him a friend,” Rosenbaum said.