Former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon reportedly filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Donlon accuses Adams of running the police department like a “criminal enterprise,” according to a lawsuit obtained by The Associated Press (AP). His filing lists the names of Adams and eight current or former top NYPD officials, Chief of Department John Chell and Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry among them. (RELATED: NYPD Retirements Reportedly Hit Historic High — And Union Says Zohran Mamdani Could Make It Worse)
Donlon alleges that Adams and those around him promoted unqualified allies, concealed misconduct and retaliated against whistleblowers who sought to expose the corruption, the outlet reported.
The nation’s largest police force is “criminal at its core,” according to a new federal lawsuit by former interim New York City Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon. https://t.co/4vDjRqMDVR pic.twitter.com/nuylxE04R2
— ABC News (@ABC) July 16, 2025
Kayla Mamelak Altus, the spokesperson for New York City Hall, dismissed the claims as “baseless,” according to the AP. She claimed the former commissioner was a “disgruntled former employee who — when given the opportunity to lead the greatest police department in the world — proved himself to be ineffective.” (RELATED: ‘Not Going To Be Pretty’: Retired NYPD Intel Officer Predicts Learning Ugly Truths On FBI As Trump Admin Digs Deeper)
During his short time in charge, Donlon claims he uncovered “systemic corruption and criminal conduct” by NYPD officials that was allegedly enabled by Adams and carried out by the mayor’s confidants who bypassed normal NYPD procedures.
The lawsuit alleges the corruption led to a “massive, unlawful transfer of public wealth” through pension boosts, overtime, undeserved raises and other benefits.
The lawsuit from former Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon, along with another recent lawsuit by former Chiefs alleging the same behavior, is terrifying but not surprising.
Under Eric Adams, the NYPD has become a disaster of pay for promotion, sex for perks, and a leadership… https://t.co/vtwFusXLjT
— Curtis Sliwa (@CurtisSliwa) July 16, 2025
He alleges that he discovered Tarik Sheppard, a former NYPD spokesperson, had used Donlon’s rubber-stamp signature to grant himself a raise and promotion, according to the AP. Sheppard allegedly threatened to kill him when confronted.
After Donlon’s wife was involved in a vehicular accident, Sheppard — who left the department in May — retaliated by releasing personal information about Donlon’s family to the media, the lawsuit alleged.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 02: NYPD officers stand guard outside of Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters on June 02, 2025 in the Crown Heights neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
NYPD leadership allegedly obstructed internal probes initiated by Donlon and declined to work with federal investigators, the AP reported. The lawsuit also claims under-qualified officers with ties to Adams’ allies were promoted, sometimes in return for favors. (RELATED: Eric Adams Dismantles ‘Intellectual Elitist’ Zohran Mamdani’s Socialist Platform As He Struggles In The Polls)
Donlon is seeking unspecified damages and arguing his professional reputation was “deliberately destroyed,” the lawsuit calls for federal oversight of the NYPD.
Donlon worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on terrorism cases for years prior to to entering the NYPD, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, according to the AP. He also served as the head of New York state’s Office of Homeland Security prior to entering the private sector.
Adams brought him in during the fall of 2024 with the intention to bring more stability to the NYPD amid turmoil and federal probes. However, he resigned in under a month after federal agents reportedly searched his residence for old documents he claimed had nothing to do with his NYPD role.
