Former top New York City police official Jeffrey Maddrey has admitted to having a “consensual, adult relationship” with a subordinate, Lt. Quathisha Epps, but denies her claims that he demanded sex in exchange for extra pay. Maddrey, who resigned as chief of department, the NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, stood silently as his lawyer addressed the allegations, stating that the relationship lasted only a short time and that Maddrey had no authority to sign off on overtime pay. Maddrey’s lawyer claims that Epps is trying to deflect her wrongdoing by making these allegations against Maddrey, and that he has evidence, including text messages and racy videos and photographs, that Epps sent to Maddrey to initiate a relationship.
Epps filed a complaint against the city with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging that Maddrey engaged in “quid pro quo sexual harassment” by coercing her to perform unwanted sexual favors in exchange for overtime opportunities. Epps, who was the NYPD’s top earner in fiscal year 2024, earning over $400,000 with more than half of it from overtime pay, claims that when she pushed back against Maddrey’s demands, he retaliated by accusing her of abusing overtime, prompting a department review. Maddrey’s lawyer denies the timing of events and claims that Epps was already under investigation before filing her complaint. Epps’ lawyer states that Maddrey’s admission of a sexual relationship with Epps undermines his previous denial of the allegations and promises to bring him to justice with digital evidence.
Maddrey, a close ally of Mayor Eric Adams and a 33-year NYPD veteran, joined the department in 1991 and rose through the ranks to become chief of patrol in 2021. Despite a history of internal disciplinary issues, including an allegation of lying to investigators about an affair with another subordinate, Maddrey was promoted to chief of department in 2021. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch accepted Maddrey’s resignation on December 20, appointing John Chell as interim chief of department. The NYPD has stated that it takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will thoroughly investigate the matter, amidst a string of leadership turnover and scandals within the department.
The resignation of Jeffrey Maddrey follows a period of scandal and leadership turnover at the NYPD, the nation’s largest police department. In September, Commissioner Edward Caban resigned after federal agents searched his home as part of an inquiry into members of Mayor Eric Adams’ inner circle. Timothy Pearson, another Adams adviser with oversight over the NYPD, also resigned following allegations of sexual harassment from multiple colleagues. Both Caban and Pearson have denied any wrongdoing and have not been criminally charged. The NYPD continues to face scrutiny and internal turmoil as it navigates these allegations and changes in leadership.
