A new federal lawsuit filed by former interim New York City Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon accuses the NYPD of being ‘criminal at its core.’
In an explosive declaration, Donlon alleges that the nation’s largest police force operates as a ‘racketeering enterprise’ under the direction of Mayor Eric Adams.
The lawsuit names several key figures in the city government, including Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry, Chief of Department John Chell, and former Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard among others.
According to the lawsuit, senior leadership at the NYPD has abandoned lawful governance, engaging in outright malfeasance.
They are accused of using the NYPD to consolidate political power, obstruct justice, and retaliate against dissenting voices.
The complaint outlines that the alleged activities constituted a coordinated pattern of racketeering that was deliberate and sustained, directed from the upper echelons of the NYPD and City Hall.
In response to the lawsuit, Kayla Mamelak Altus, press secretary for Mayor Adams, dismissed the claims as ‘absurd.’
Mamelak Altus characterized the allegations as baseless, originating from a ‘disgruntled former employee’ who failed to effectively lead the NYPD when given a chance.
The press secretary emphasized that the department is led by honorable professionals and noted that crime rates continue to decline, with shootings at the lowest level in recorded history.
She expressed confidence that the city would successfully combat the allegations in court.
Donlon, appointed interim commissioner in 2024, took over in the wake of Edward Caban’s resignation amid an FBI search of his residence.
Though Caban has not been charged with wrongdoing, he has stated that the events surrounding the raids created a distraction.
The lawsuit asserts that during his tenure as commissioner, Donlon had limited authority and that true control rested with the close associates of Mayor Adams.
According to Donlon, his authority was undermined as his merit-based promotions were blocked, and individuals who had not been adequately vetted were elevated instead.
The lawsuit further claims that Donlon’s official Police Commissioner stamp was used fraudulently without his consent to validate and carry out the alleged corrupt activities.
In a particularly troubling allegation, the lawsuit accuses certain defendants of conducting a ‘calculated’ act of vengeance against Donlon by orchestrating the false arrest of his wife and leaking the information to the press.
Sources confirm that his wife was arrested last December due to expired car insurance.
The lawsuit posits that this was no mistake, but rather a deliberate abuse of power aimed at punishing Donlon for exposing what he claims is misconduct within the department.
The alleged incident is described as a coordinated effort to intimidate and humiliate Donlon, making a pointed effort to silence him.
As part of his legal action, Donlon seeks compensatory, emotional, and punitive damages, alongside injunctive relief, emphasizing that the full scope of damages incurred will be determined at trial.
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