Mayor Zohran Mamdani's legal team has notified city officials that the city is cutting off payment of legal fees for Tim Pearson, the former City Hall public safety adviser who was sued last year by four current and former NYPD employees alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. The same move covers former NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey and marks a clear break from the previous administration's approach to defending some high-profile aides.
City Pulls the Plug on Taxpayer-Funded Defense
Corporation Counsel nominee Steve Banks informed city leaders that the city will no longer pay for Pearson’s legal defense, and that the same withdrawal of indemnification applies to Jeffrey Maddrey, as reported by New York Daily News. That reporting says Banks also indicated other defendants named in the suits would continue to receive Law Department representation. Brooklyn Councilmember Lincoln Restler said he was relieved by the decision, and John Scola, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said it underscored calls for accountability.
Why the Law Department Stepped Aside
The city had initially relied on outside counsel after the Law Department concluded it could not represent Pearson because it was already representing one of his accusers, a conflict that required the agency to hire private lawyers in the cases, The City reported. Municipal rules allow the Law Department to decline indemnification when allegations fall outside an employee’s official duties or violate agency rules, which is why the question of who pays has been both a legal and political lightning rod.
What the Bills Looked Like
Public records reviewed by reporters show the private firm Wilson Elser had been retained to defend Pearson and had been paid roughly $622,931 to represent him alone as of early January, according to earlier reporting based on city invoices. That taxpayer-funded coverage came amid discovery disputes, including allegations that Pearson’s team withheld texts, and followed reporting that investigators seized some of his electronic devices in fall 2024. Pearson resigned his City Hall post in September 2024.
What Comes Next
City watchdogs and council members who have pressed for transparency around outside legal spending say they will be watching the Mamdani administration's next moves, including any internal review of indemnification decisions. The Law Department outlines its office locations and press contacts on its official site, and how the agency handles representation questions will determine whether any other current or former officials lose city-funded counsel.
