Former NYPD chiefs file lawsuit against Mayor Adams and top aides for alleged corruption and favoritism within the police department.

In a significant legal development, four former high-ranking members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) have initiated lawsuits against Mayor Eric Adams. The plaintiffs – James Essig, Matthew Pontillo, Joseph Veneziano, and Christopher McCormack – allege they were coerced into retirement after raising concerns regarding unqualified appointees being placed in critical positions within the department. The suits assert that some of these appointments came after the appointees purportedly engaged in bribery to secure their roles.

The lawsuits, submitted late Monday, also implicate former Police Commissioner Edward Caban and former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, alleging a conspiracy involving Mayor Adams designed to silence dissent within the department. Notably, two of the lawsuits extend the list of defendants to include former Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks and current NYPD Chief of Department John Chell.

Among the most serious allegations is the claim that Caban was engaging in a practice of “selling promotions” to officers for sums reportedly reaching up to ,000. Although Caban, Maddrey, and Banks – who shared a long-standing friendship with Adams – resigned last year following federal investigations that included searches of their residences and seizure of mobile devices, they have not faced any criminal charges thus far.

These lawsuits emerge at a turbulent time for Mayor Adams, as he seeks re-election this November amid ongoing fallout from his own indictment related to bribery and campaign finance misconduct. The former chiefs’ claims illustrate a troubling narrative of alleged dysfunction within the NYPD, revisiting issues of corruption that have plagued Adams’ administration since its inception.

The ex-chiefs contend they were effectively forced out of their positions after sounding the alarm over a troubling trend in which allies of Adams were placed in elite NYPD units despite having questionable qualifications and backgrounds. They allege that threats from Caban, Maddrey, Banks, and Chell, operating at the behest of Mayor Adams, led to a situation where they felt they had no option but to resign.

The lawsuits suggest a broader pattern of retaliation against whistleblowers within the department, highlighting alleged illegal practices surrounding officer body camera usage and questioning the legitimacy of prominent public safety initiatives supported by the Adams administration. Legal counsel representing the ex-chiefs indicated that each lawsuit seeks at least million in punitive damages, underscoring the severity of their claims.

Essig’s allegations in particular bring to light concerning insights into the hiring and promotion policies under Caban’s leadership, suggesting a breakdown of established protocols intended to ensure the integrity and competence of NYPD personnel.

While the Adams administration has yet to comment in detail regarding these specific lawsuits, a spokesperson reiterated the commitment to uphold high standards among city personnel, signaling an intent to review the claims thoroughly.