Former Interim NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon has filed a lawsuit alleging the New York Police Department operates as a "criminal enterprise" under the guidance of Mayor Eric Adams and top brass within the force. The 251-page legal document, submitted to the Southern District on Wednesday morning, outlines a series of grave accusations against the city's leadership and its police department.
The suit implicates the City of New York, Mayor Eric Adams, and several current and former officers, including John Chell, Kaz Daughtry, Tania Kinsella, Jeffrey Madrey, and Tarik Sheppard, in a pattern of alleged racketeering activities. Donlon claims the corruption was "deliberate, sustained, and directed from the highest levels of the NYPD and City Hall," information initially reported by NBC New York. Furthermore, Donlon served a brief tenure as interim commissioner after the resignation of former Commissioner Eddie Caban, only to be replaced two months later by Jessica Tisch.
The lawsuit also mentions that within days of commencing his new role, Donlon's home was searched by federal authorities, who seized materials unrelated to his police work, though no charges were filed against him. He is also seeking an independent authority to oversee significant department decisions and demands a trial by jury, according to the suit detailed by ABC7 New York.
In response to the allegations, Mayor Adams' press secretary Kayla Mamelak Altus labeled the lawsuit "absurd," adding, "These are baseless accusations from a disgruntled former employee who - when given the opportunity to lead the greatest police department in the world - proved himself to be ineffective." She went on to detail how the NYPD is championed by the "best, brightest, and most honorable professionals," touting the decline in citywide crime and the record low levels of shootings, as stated by ABC7 New York.
The suit starkly paints a portrait of ongoing issues within the NYPD, suggesting that Donlon's stint as commissioner was undermined by a concerted effort to consolidate political power, obstruct justice, and stifle dissent. Allegations also extend to personal attacks, including the orchestrated arrest of Donlon's wife and the leakage of the event to the press, which was described as a "calculated and deeply personal act of vengeance" and a direct warning to Donlon. This detailed misconduct was also touched upon in the ABC7 New York report.
Drawing on previous successful endeavors, the NYPD City Hall maintains a firm stance against the lawsuit's claims, prepared to "respond in court," where they are confident the assertions made by Donlon will be refuted. This lawsuit joins others filed by four former top NYPD officials earlier this month, further suggesting patterns of corruption and cronyism within the department. ABC7 New York has reached out to the other parties named in the lawsuit but has yet to receive a response at the time of reporting.
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