NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams of New York City expressed unease over recent accusations against a high-ranking NYPD official whom he had previously supported, in light of new and troubling sexual assault claims.
Addressing the media on Saturday, Adams remarked, “The allegations are deeply troubling and unsettling. The police commissioner is conducting a comprehensive assessment of all personnel, including a thorough examination of this matter. It would not be appropriate for me to delve into the specifics of these allegations.”
A report published by the New York Post on Saturday morning detailed explicit allegations from a subordinate of Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, accusing him of repeated sexual assault in exchange for overtime privileges. Maddrey resigned late Friday, just hours before the story broke.
Despite Maddrey’s checkered past, Adams, a former NYPD captain, had previously supported his promotion to the department’s highest uniformed position.
A spokesperson from City Hall issued a statement regarding the situation, stating, “We are deeply disturbed by these allegations, and the NYPD is conducting an investigation. Mayor Adams is closely collaborating with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch as the NYPD undertakes a department-wide review to ensure that senior officers are not misusing their authority.”
Maddrey’s attorney refuted the allegations to the Post, insinuating that the accuser’s motives stem from scrutiny surrounding her substantial overtime earnings, which exceeded $400,000 last year.
“She is clearly in distress and seeking to implicate as many individuals as possible. These allegations lack merit, and we refute each claim,” remarked Maddrey’s attorney, Lambros Lambrou.
Maddrey’s resignation and the scandalous allegations mark the latest setback for the Adams administration as the mayor gears up for reelection next year.
The mayor’s inner circle, once influential in the city’s government, has dwindled significantly due to corruption investigations, resignations, and indictments. Recently, the mayor’s longtime adviser of 40 years was indicted by the Manhattan district attorney, while the mayor himself faces a federal bribery case, with both parties pleading not guilty.
The NYPD has been a focal point of turmoil, with Adams already on his fourth police commissioner within three years of his tenure.
Following accusations of improper intervention in an arrest involving Maddrey, the mayor exerted pressure on former NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell to avoid imposing recommended disciplinary actions.
Subsequently, the case against Maddrey was dismissed by Sewell’s successor, Edward Caban, who later resigned amid a federal investigation.
