Four former high-ranking officials from the New York City Police Department have filed lawsuits against Mayor Eric Adams and his senior aides, alleging the promotion of unqualified personnel as part of a broader scheme that allegedly included cash bribes to a former police commissioner. The lawsuits, submitted on Monday, highlight claims of rampant corruption and cronyism within the country’s largest police force, which faced multiple federal investigations late last year.
The plaintiffs, which include the former chief of detectives, contend that they faced demotion or forced retirement after expressing concerns over the promotion practices, ostensibly with the approval of Mayor Adams.
A spokesperson for the mayor, who is seeking reelection, defended the administration’s record. They stated that all city employees, including those in leadership positions at the NYPD, are held to high standards. The spokesperson noted a consistent decrease in crime rates, asserting that the city’s drop in shootings is a direct result of the mayor’s focus on public safety. They indicated that the administration would review the allegations made in the lawsuits.
The lawsuits allege that starting in 2023, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, a long-time ally of Adams, began sidestepping established hiring protocols to promote individuals he deemed friendly or loyal. Notably, several seasoned NYPD officials, including Chief of Detectives James Essig, raised alarms over an influx of inexperienced officers assigned to critical divisions like the sex crimes unit. When Essig voiced his concerns to Edward Caban, who was then first deputy to the police commissioner, he reportedly received a reprimand instead of support.
After Caban was later promoted to police commissioner, he informed Essig, a veteran of 40 years, that he would face a significant reduction in rank. Essig’s lawsuit claims that he learned of Caban’s alleged practice of “selling promotions” to preferred associates for as much as $15,000.
Essig’s attorney, Sarena Townsend, declined to provide further details regarding the bribery claims. Essig opted to resign in September 2023 rather than accept the demotion. In response to the lawsuit, Caban’s attorneys referred to the bribery allegations as “unsupported and reckless,” arguing that the claims lack merit.
Caban himself resigned in September following an FBI raid on his home, and Maddrey stepped down amid accusations of sexual misconduct involving a subordinate. Neither has faced criminal charges thus far. The NYPD did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the lawsuits.
The former officials also allege that current police leadership, including Chief of Department John Chell, has worked to undermine internal oversight regarding policing practices and the mayor’s allies. The lawsuits reveal concerns raised by former Chief of Professional Standards Matthew Pontillo, who reported “troubling patterns” of unconstitutional stops among patrol officers who delayed activating body cameras. After presenting these findings to then-Commissioner Keechant Sewell, Pontillo claims Chell confronted him privately, questioning his decision to communicate the information.
Later that day, Sewell, who resigned shortly after meeting with Adams, was subsequently replaced by Caban. The ongoing controversies cast a shadow over the NYPD, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the department.
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