• New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing a new federal lawsuit from a former interim NYPD commissioner, who alleges the mayor ran the police department like a racketeering operation and retaliated against internal critics. The legal challenge comes amid a broader reckoning over leadership, transparency, and corruption in city government.

NEW YORK, NY (TDR) — Mayor Eric Adams is under renewed scrutiny after a scathing federal lawsuit filed Wednesday by former interim NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon, who accuses the administration of running the department as a “criminal enterprise” and retaliating against dissenters.

The 251-page complaint, filed in federal court, paints a damning picture of top city officials allegedly using the nation’s largest police force for political gain, intimidation, and personal revenge.

Racketeering Allegations at City Hall

Donlon, who served briefly as NYPD’s interim commissioner in 2024 following the resignation of Edward Caban, claims in the suit that Mayor Adams and senior officials—Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry, Chief John Chell, and former Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard—conspired to turn the NYPD into a tool of political power.

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“Senior leadership had abandoned lawful governance and engaged in outright malfeasance,” Donlon’s legal team wrote, adding that “the Defendants engaged in a coordinated pattern of racketeering activity that was deliberate, sustained, and directed from the highest levels of the NYPD and City Hall.”

Among the most explosive claims is that Donlon’s wife was falsely arrested during a traffic stop—an act the lawsuit calls “a calculated and deeply personal act of vengeance.”

City Hall Fires Back

Mayor Adams’ office quickly rejected the claims as meritless. “These are baseless accusations from a disgruntled former employee,” said Kayla Mamelak Altus, Adams’ press secretary. “This suit is nothing more than an attempt to seek compensation at the taxpayer’s expense after Mr. Donlon was rightfully removed.”

Adams appointed Donlon as interim commissioner following the FBI’s search of Caban’s home. Caban has not been charged with any crime. Donlon’s tenure, however, was short-lived and, according to City Hall, marked by underwhelming leadership.

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Still, the lawsuit adds to growing legal and political pressure facing the mayor.

Broader Pattern of Complaints

Donlon is not alone. His lawsuit comes on the heels of similar allegations from four former NYPD officials, who earlier this month filed a joint complaint alleging widespread corruption, favoritism, and abuse of power among the department’s top brass.

The pattern of internal challenges could reshape public perception of the Adams administration, which has already faced criticism over its handling of crime, immigration, and affordable housing.

Adams, once seen as a reformer with law enforcement credentials, is now struggling in reelection polls. Recent surveys show him trailing behind Democratic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent.

Political Fallout and Public Trust

The lawsuit and its accompanying claims—whether proven or not—could further erode confidence in New York’s political leadership. Donlon’s accusations speak to deeper concerns about accountability, transparency, and the politicization of law enforcement.

As New York City heads into a critical election cycle, the case could become a flashpoint for broader debates about power, reform, and civic integrity.

Public trust in our largest institutions—especially law enforcement—depends on accountability from the top down. As this case moves through the courts, New Yorkers must weigh the facts and demand leadership that earns their confidence.

What are your thoughts on the growing list of legal claims facing Mayor Adams and the NYPD?

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