July 16, 2025 A seismic legal challenge has rocked New York City Hall, as former interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon filed a scathing lawsuit Wednesday, accusing Mayor Eric Adams of actively obstructing efforts to clean up a New York City Police Department (NYPD) allegedly rife with corruption. The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of rigged promotions, constant surveillance, and a cover-up of what Donlon describes as "racketeering" within the NYPD.

The Allegations: A Department in Crisis

Donlon's federal lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, chronicles his turbulent two-month tenure as interim commissioner last fall. He claims he inherited a department where "a coordinated criminal conspiracy had taken root," detailing how promotions were allegedly manipulated and his own actions were constantly monitored. The lawsuit even calls for a federal takeover of the NYPD, advocating for an independent monitor to oversee disciplinary actions and promotion decisions.

Mayor Adams' Public Safety Platform Under Scrutiny

Mayor Adams, who ascended to office in 2021 on a dual promise of combating crime and reforming policing—a cause he claimed to champion from his decades as an NYPD officer—now finds his administration besieged by corruption allegations. This lawsuit follows closely on the heels of four other whistleblower lawsuits filed just last week by former police chiefs. These individuals allege they were ousted in 2023 for speaking out against internal wrongdoing, further intensifying the scrutiny on Adams' leadership and City Hall's alleged micromanagement of police operations.

City Hall's Response: "Baseless Accusations"

City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus swiftly dismissed Donlon's claims, stating, "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 added that the city is confident these "absurd claims will be disproven" in court. The NYPD has yet to issue a statement.

Social Media: The Tipping Point for Conflict?

According to the lawsuit, the initial friction between Donlon and top NYPD brass began with something seemingly minor: social media use. Donlon's first act as interim commissioner was to caution department leaders about their online conduct, emphasizing that their public statements reflected on the NYPD as an institution. He also reiterated the standard procedure requiring Legal Bureau approval for individual social media posts. This directive directly impacted then-Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, former top spokesperson Tarik Sheppard, then-Chief of Patrol John Chell, and then-Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry, all of whom had a history of contentious online exchanges with the public, including a city council member and journalists.

"The moment he gets in there the first day, he holds a meeting to try to reign in the social media posts," Donlon’s attorney John Scola told City & State. "Then within an hour of that meeting, separately, Daughtry, Chell and Sheppard all have private conversations with Adams, and then Adams calls Donlon and summons him through his office and basically says, ‘don't discipline these guys.'"

Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

DOI Findings and Alleged Usurpation of Power

In January, the city's Department of Investigation (DOI) indeed found that Chell, Daughtry, and other high-ranking police officials had violated the NYPD’s social media policy. Donlon had reportedly deemed their posts "unprofessional, unauthorized, and controversial," insisting on a unified departmental voice.

The lawsuit argues that this incident marked a turning point, alleging that Chell, Daughtry, and Sheppard's direct access to Mayor Adams allowed them to consistently disregard Donlon's orders. "No matter what Donlon tried to do to rein in the abuse of power, the Individual Defendants were allowed to ignore Donlon’s Orders as they had a direct access to Defendant Adams," the lawsuit states.

Donlon's Abrupt Departure and Subsequent Allegations

Donlon's brief tenure concluded when Mayor Adams appointed then-Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch as his replacement in November. The lawsuit claims Donlon was informed of his replacement just ten minutes before the public announcement, with Adams allegedly giving him the stark choice to "either leave or stay for the conference." Furthermore, Donlon alleges he was conspicuously excluded from Tisch's swearing-in ceremony, forced to "stand on the sidelines" while other former commissioners were seated.

Following his demotion to the mayor’s Office of Public Safety, Donlon claims he repeatedly attempted to contact Commissioner Tisch to advocate for NYPD officers he had sought to promote, who were allegedly passed over. He states he received no response.

"Despite being fully aware of the misconduct and injustice committed against these officers, neither Defendant Adams nor Police Commissioner Tisch has taken any steps to remedy this gross abuse of power," the lawsuit concludes, signaling a protracted legal battle that could significantly impact the future of NYPD leadership and Mayor Adams' legacy.

What do you think about these allegations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.