Gothamist, Charles Lane, Jan 19, 2025
NYPD top cop Jeffrey Maddrey was suspended Thursday, and his home was searched by the FBI. It’s the latest in a string of federal investigations into NYPD brass that include pay-to-play allegationsinvolving the brother of former Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Phil Banks, accusations of nightclub shakedowns by the brother of resigned Police Commissioner Edward Caban, and a search of the home of former interim-Commissioner Thomas Donlon.
Here’s what to know about the investigation into former Chief of Department Maddrey.
On the Saturday before Christmas, news broke of Lt. Quathisha Epps’ explosive accusations that Maddrey coerced her into having sex in exchange for overtime payments. She filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint accusing Maddrey of giving her $200,000 in overtime shifts in exchange for sex. Maddrey has admitted he had a sexual relationship with Epps, but said it was consensual.
Early Thursday of this week, NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Maddrey was suspended and his home and other addresses were being searched. She said an investigation by the department’s Internal Affairs Bureau was underway, and referred questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The FBI confirmed that a search warrant was executed at Maddrey’s home.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had also opened an investigation, but paused it Thursday while federal prosecutors investigated Maddrey. A spokesperson said the allegations remain serious.
Maddrey is the department’s highest-ranking uniformed officer. As opposed to civilian employees like the police commissioner, he cannot simply be fired but has to be suspended and undergo a departmental trial in order to be removed.
Lawyers for Maddrey and Epps did not comment on Maddrey’s suspension or the search.
Officers who retire with at least 20 years of service are typically guaranteed their pensions. However, Maddrey could still face serious repercussions. He was suspended Thursday without pay, according to documents provided to Gothamist. Under NYPD policy, suspended officers are required to surrender their firearms, badges, phones and other NYPD property.
And unless Maddrey is cleared of the allegations, the department is not authorized to grant him a so-called “good guy letter,” which allows a former member of the force to keep their firearm. The letter indicates that an officer has retired in good standing, and is considered a prerequisite to high-paying security jobs that are often sought by retired police officers.
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