Ex-Police Commissioner Files Lawsuit Accusing Eric Adams of Running NYPD as ‘Criminal Enterprise’

Former NYPD Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon has filed a lawsuit against NYC Mayor Eric Adams and top department officials, accusing them of running the government and the police department as a "criminal enterprise."

As reported by The New York Times, Donlon was appointed NYPD Commissioner in late 2024 but stepped down from the role just weeks later following a search conducted at his home by federal agents. He said that during his short time with the department, he "uncovered systemic corruption and criminal conduct being perpetrated by the NYPD's leadership." He alleged that when he informed Mayor Adams, he "condoned the misconduct."

"The New York City Police Department, under the direction of [Eric] Adams, functions as a racketeering enterprise in violation of the [RICO Act]," the lawsuit alleges. "Senior leadership had abandoned lawful governance, and engaged in outright malfeasance by using the NYPD to consolidate political power, obstruct justice, and punish dissent."

The lawsuit also accuses NYPD top brass and Adams of carrying out wire fraud, mail fraud, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, and retaliation against whistleblowers. "This enterprise—the NYPD—was criminal at its core," the lawsuit reads. In a statement, per the Gothamist, Donlan said, "This lawsuit is not a personal grievance; it is a statement against a corrupt system that betrays the public, silences truth, and punishes integrity."

Adams has denied the accusations in a statement shared by his spokesperson, Kayla Mamelak Atlus.

"These are baseless accusations from a disgruntled former employee who—when given the opportunity to lead the greatest police department in the world—proved himself to be ineffective," she said. "This suit is nothing more than an attempt to seek compensation at the taxpayer’s expense after Mr. Donlon was rightfully removed from the role of interim police commissioner."

The lawsuit follows four similar cases filed by former police officials in the past two weeks, accusing Adams of encouraging corruption.

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