Former NYPD Chair Files Assault Lawsuit Against Mayor Adams
Thomas Donlon, who recently served as the interim chair of the New York Police Department (NYPD), has filed a federal lawsuit against New York Mayor Eric Adams, alleging assault.
In his lawsuit, Donlon accuses Adams of managing the police department like a “criminal corporation.” The filing also names eight other current or former NYPD officials, including Director John Chell and Deputy Mayor Kazu Daughtry. Donlon’s claims hint at troubling patterns of behavior involving certain individuals within the department.
Donlon alleges that Adams and his associates have promoted unqualified allies while punishing whistleblowers who sought to reveal misconduct and corrupt practices. A brief report noted that during his brief tenure, Donlon claims a confidant of the mayor uncovered “systematic corruption and criminal conduct” among NYPD officials, actions allegedly facilitated by Adams, which sidestepped standard departmental procedures.
The lawsuit further suggests that this corruption has resulted in a significant illegal transfer of public funds through excessive pension boosts, overtime payments, and other unjust financial benefits.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for New York City, Kayla Mamelak Altus, dismissed Donlon’s accusations as largely groundless, suggesting he is merely a disgruntled former employee who failed to show efficacy when given leadership responsibilities.
Donlon’s allegations include a claim that former NYPD spokesman Tarik Shepherd used a rubber stamp with Donlon’s signature to secure his own raise and promotion. When Donlon confronted him about this, Shepherd allegedly threatened him.
Shepherd, who left the NYPD following an incident involving his wife, purportedly retaliated by leaking Donlon’s personal information to the media, according to the lawsuit.
Additionally, the NYPD leadership is said to have hindered an internal investigation started by Donlon and declined to cooperate with federal authorities. Donlon claims that an underqualified officer connected to Adams’ allies received a promotion.
In his pursuit of unspecified damages, Donlon asserts that his reputation has been “deliberately destroyed” and is seeking federal oversight of the NYPD.
Donlon has a background with the FBI, where he worked on terrorism-related cases, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, before moving to the NYPD and later serving as the director of the New York State Department of Homeland Security. Adams had recruited Donlon in fall 2024 to stabilize the NYPD during a turbulent period. However, he resigned within a month after federal agents searched his home for documents unrelated to his time at the department.
