Lawsuit Alleges ‘Coordinated Criminal Conspiracy’ within NYPD Under Adams
The former interim police commissioner has leveled serious allegations against Mayor Eric Adams and his inner circle, claiming they orchestrated a “coordinated criminal conspiracy” to engage in fraudulent activities that favor loyal allies and seek revenge against adversaries, according to a new lawsuit.
Thomas Donlon, who took the helm of the NYPD following Edward Caban’s resignation amid federal investigations, submitted a comprehensive 251-page lawsuit to the Southern District of New York on Wednesday morning.
“The highest echelons of City government have become entangled in a coordinated criminal conspiracy, which includes wire fraud, mail fraud, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, and retaliation against whistleblowers,” the legal document alleges.
Donlon asserts that senior police officials forsook “lawful governance” and displayed outright misconduct by leveraging the NYPD to enhance political influence, obstruct justice, and punish dissent.
He also alleges that high-ranking colleagues misused his commissioner signature to forge internal documents, promoting politically connected individuals over those rightfully deserving advancement based on merit.
“This corruption resulted in a significant, unlawful redistribution of public funds—amounting to millions in unwarranted salary hikes, overtime eligibility, pension enhancements, and retirement benefits,” the lawsuit states.
The former commissioner had frequently clashed with upper management within the NYPD since his appointment last fall.
Confrontations became public when former deputy commissioner for public information, Tarik Sheppard, was restrained while vocally criticizing Donlon during the New York City marathon.
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