Judge dismisses lawsuit from ex-NYPD commissioner alleging ‘systemic corruption’

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former acting New York City police commissioner who accused the police department led by former Mayor Eric Adams and his top deputies of “systemic corruption” and claimed the agency operated like a “criminal enterprise.”

Thomas Donlon, a longtime FBI official appointed by Adams to stabilize the scandal-marred police department, filed a racketeering complaint filed in July.

But Donlon said he witnessed “systemic corruption and criminal conduct” enabled by Adams and his allies who often inflated overtime, prevented internal investigations and disciplined whistleblowers.

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Thomas Donlon, former acting New York City police commissioner, said he witnessed “systemic corruption and criminal conduct” fostered by former Mayor Eric Adams and his allies. (Michael Appleton/Mayor’s Photo Bureau via AP)

Judge Denise Côté ruled Wednesday that the alleged misconduct did not meet the definition of racketeering activity because the prosecution did not describe the defendants acting with “a common purpose.”

A spokesperson for the city’s Law Department told the Associated Press that they were “pleased that the court recognized that there was no legal basis for this case to proceed.”

A lawyer for Donlon, John Scola, told the outlet that his client had already appealed the decision.

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The police department has been accused of operating like a “criminal enterprise.” (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press)

“Mr. Donlon faced corruption at the highest levels of the New York Police Department and was forced out for refusing to engage in illegal conduct,” Scola said. “We are confident that the Second Circuit will allow his claims to proceed.”

Donlon was wiretapped by Adams following the September 2024 resignation of former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, whose phone was seized by federal officials as part of a criminal corruption investigation against the then-mayor and his administration.

He served as acting commissioner for about two months before being replaced by Jessica Tisch, who still serves as commissioner under the city’s current mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

Judge Denise Côté ruled that the alleged misconduct did not meet the definition of racketeering activity. (Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

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Donlon’s lawsuit was just one of several complaints filed by veteran police officers who alleged a culture of corruption and cronyism rampant within the agency during Adams’ time as mayor.

Federal prosecutors also recently filed several corruption charges against former police officers who served under Adams.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.