The NYPD’s top uniformed police officer abruptly resigned Friday amid allegations that he demanded sexual favors from his subordinates on the force, the latest scandal to rock the NYPD and the Adams administration.
The sudden resignation of department head Jeffrey Maddrey came just hours before Lt. Quathisha Epps, who holds an administrative position in Maddrey’s office, filed a sexual harassment complaint against him with the state Division of human rights, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Epps alleges that Maddrey “engaged in sexual harassment” by coercing her to provide unwanted sexual favors in exchange for overtime opportunities in the workplace.
Department head Jeffrey Maddrey speaks to the media earlier this year. (Theodore Parisienne for NY Daily News via Getty Images)
The NYPD boss is resigning as the DEM mayor’s inner circle faces a possible corruption investigation
The complaint also alleges that Maddrey forced Epps to “care for another female officer,” “subjecting that officer to unwanted sexual advances and conduct, including sexual intercourse, in the workplace.”
Epps also accuses Maddrey, who is married, of maintaining an inappropriate sexual relationship with another female detective, subjecting Epps to “further sexually offensive behavior both in person and via her cell phone.”
The NYPD said in a news release Saturday morning that NYPD Chief of Police John Chell had taken over as interim chief of the department on Friday evening and that Philip Rivera is now interim chief of patrol.
Quathisha Epps attends the New York City Police Foundation Gala at the New York Hilton Midtown on April 30, 2019 in New York City. (Gonzalo Marroquin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The release made no mention of Maddrey, but the NYPD confirmed to Fox News Digital on Saturday that Maddrey had resigned from the NYPD, although the agency would not give a reason.
“Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch accepted the resignation of Department Chief Jeffrey Maddrey on Friday evening, effective immediately,” an NYPD spokesperson said via email. “The NYPD takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will investigate this matter thoroughly.”
Epps made headlines earlier this week when the New York Postciting payroll records, revealed that she earned as much as $400,000, including about $204,000 in overtime last year alone, for her administrative job in Maddrey’s office. She claims in the filing that Maddrey bungled her overtime figures in October after she began rejecting his advances.
She says this has led to a criminal and internal investigation against her in retaliation.
Epps said in the complaint that she met with Maddrey earlier this week with the intention of leaving the force after she said she was publicly portrayed as an “overtime abuser.” She says Maddrey demanded a sexual favor, which she complied with. She then applied to retire from the NYPD through a Vested Interest Retirement Pension.
A spokesperson for Adams said his office is “deeply troubled by these allegations, and the NYPD is investigating this matter.”
Former NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban resigned in September. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“Mayor Adams is working closely with Police Commissioner Tisch as the NYPD conducts a separate department-wide investigation to ensure no senior officer uses their power inappropriately. We will refrain from further comment to avoid jeopardizing either investigation.”
The controversy is the latest turmoil to hit the NYPD. Former Commissioner Edward Caban resigned in September amid the swirling federal investigation surrounding it New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Adams then appointed Tom Donlon, a former FBI counterterrorism expert, as interim commissioner, and he was replaced after two months by Tisch, who was then appointed on a permanent basis.
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Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury in September and faces five charges, including bribery, soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, wire fraud and conspiracy. Federal prosecutors accused Adams of accepting luxury travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreigners seeking to buy his influence. He has denied being guilty of all charges.
Mayor Eric Adams leaves a press conference with Ingrid Lewis-Martin at City Hall on January 2, 2024 in Manhattan, NY (Barry Williams for NY Daily News via Getty Images)
Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a top adviser to Adams, resigned on Sunday and has since been charged with bribery.
Prosecutors said Lewis-Martin and her son raked in more than $100,000 and received other assistance in exchange for her speeding ticket approvals for construction projects. She has pleaded not guilty.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
