Former NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon has announced his intention to file a $10 million lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams and ex-Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard, following allegations that he suffered from cognitive issues during his tenure leading the department.
Sheppard has publicly claimed in several media interviews that Donlon experienced cognitive difficulties while serving as commissioner.
Meanwhile, Mayor Adams has expressed similar concerns both privately and publicly, suggesting on one occasion that Donlon should be evaluated by a doctor.
The accusations from Adams and Sheppard have emerged in response to a serious lawsuit that Donlon filed, which characterizes the NYPD under Adams’ leadership as a ‘criminal enterprise.’
This extensive 251-page lawsuit outlines numerous instances of alleged misconduct by department leaders closely associated with Adams, including claims that promotions were awarded based on loyalty rather than merit, and often without Donlon’s requisite approval.
Among the accusations, the lawsuit highlights Sheppard’s alleged self-promotion to a three-star ranking without authorization and describes a threatening confrontation during the New York City Marathon, where he purportedly threatened Donlon’s life.
Donlon accuses Adams of complicity in this misconduct, stating that Adams was aware of the issues but failed to take any action to rectify them.
Reports indicate that during a meeting with business leaders, Adams raised doubts about Donlon’s mental fitness, leading him to suggest a medical evaluation.
He also urged reporters to conduct their own interviews with Donlon to gauge his capabilities, stating that leading the department requires specific skills.
Donlon, who served as interim police commissioner from mid-September 2024 until late November of the same year, was replaced by Jessica Tisch shortly after Adams took over.
Even after his removal, Adams appointed Donlon as a senior mayoral advisor on public safety, a position he held until May 2025 when the role was eliminated.
In his notice of claim, which precedes the formal lawsuit, Donlon asserts that the comments made by Adams and Sheppard constitute retaliation against him as a whistleblower.
The notice argues that if Adams genuinely believed Donlon lacked the capacity to lead effectively, his appointment as Senior Advisor for Public Safety would have been illogical and reckless.
“Instead, these statements had a clear purpose — but not a lawful or legitimate one,” the notice reads.
“They were made to discredit and silence a whistleblower.”
Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams, labeled the impending lawsuit as a frivolous endeavor to extract taxpayer compensation following what she described as Donlon’s justified removal from the interim police commissioner role.
She stated, “While Mr. Donlon continues to try to make money off of New Yorkers and tear down the honorable men and women at NYPD, Mayor Adams continues to deliver results for New Yorkers: crime continues to fall across the city, with shootings at the lowest level in recorded history.”
City Hall declined to provide documented evidence of Adams’ prior concerns regarding Donlon’s mental acuity.
Notably, Donlon’s lawsuit was filed just a week after four former NYPD chiefs initiated their own legal action against the city, alleging retaliation for reporting misconduct among high-ranking officials.
The dissatisfaction expressed by these former chiefs echoes Donlon’s sentiments, with claims that they faced repercussions simply for addressing lapses in personnel qualifications and misconduct within the department.
In addition to combatants, Donlon named Chief of Department John Chell, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry, First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella, and former Chief of Department Jeffery Maddrey in his suit.
Donlon was appointed interim police commissioner following the resignation of Edward Caban, whose phones were reportedly seized by the FBI during an ongoing investigation.
Maddrey himself resigned in December amid serious allegations involving improper conduct with a subordinate, drawing scrutiny from federal authorities as well.
The lawsuit presents a dramatic portrayal of the misconduct plaguing Adams’ NYPD leadership.
Donlon describes deliberate attempts to undermine and discredit him during his term as commissioner, citing instances of being closely monitored by Sheppard’s associates who purportedly had access to his emails and calendar.
Additionally, Donlon recounted an incident wherein Sheppard invited him to a secret promotion celebration without providing adequate notice, leading to confusion that Sheppard exploited to malign Donlon’s leadership ability.
The lawsuit claims this was a calculated move intended to portray Donlon as inept and unfit for his prestigious role.
In it, the deficiencies of those appointed by Adams are severely criticized, with Chell described as having little ambition for work, while Sheppard and Adams are noted to lack significant law enforcement experience and task force leadership.
Daughtry is characterized as inexperienced in supervising police operations and derogatory towards officers under his command.
Ultimately, Donlon expressed his distress over the lack of competence displayed by the department’s leadership, condemning their behaviors as criminal, incompetent, and morally bankrupt.
Towards the conclusion of his filing, the lawsuit states, “Long after the collective Defendants retire in shame, and fade into obscurity (save for Defendant CITY), they will hopefully possess the temerity for contriteness and wistfully rue their criminal, corrupt, and contemptuous actions.”
In the face of these serious allegations, Mayor Adams has yet to specifically address the contents of the lawsuit, dismissing it as an unsubstantiated grievance from a disgruntled former employee.
Moreover, he has suggested that the timing of the lawsuit may be politically motivated, pointing to visible typos and peculiar spacing within the document as indicators of a rushed attempt at discrediting his administration.
image source from：thecity
