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Feds are investigating whether NYPD officials sold promotions, new court filing says
By
Charles Lane
Published Jan 17, 2025
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José A. Alvarado Jr. / Gothamist
By
Charles Lane
Published Jan 17, 2025
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Federal prosecutors are investigating whether NYPD officials have used unfair promotion practices, including trading promotions for bribes, according to a letter filed Thursday night in a civil lawsuit against a top aide to Mayor Eric Adams.
The letter is the first public acknowledgement of an investigation into the NYPD’s promotion practices. It was written by a lawyer on behalf of his client, who is suing Timothy Pearson, a longtime Adams aide and retired NYPD inspector. The client — retired Sgt. Roxanne Ludemann — alleges that Pearson sexually harassed her while he was her supervisor in a special office created by Adams.
The lawyer, John Scola, wrote to one of Pearson's lawyers saying he's been in conversations with “numerous” NYPD employees who said that federal prosecutors are investigating the department’s promotion practices. The letter also says some of the officials have been interviewed by the FBI, other federal investigators
and the city’s Department of Investigation as part of the larger probe.
Scola's letter seeks documents related to a claim that Pearson solicited sexual favors and cash in exchange for promotions. It was addressed to an attorney for Pearson who objected to turning over documents in the case.
Federal prosecutors declined to comment. Officials at City Hall and NYPD did not immediately return messages. Lawyers for Pearson did not return messages, but in court filings they deny the harassment claims. They called the federal investigations “rumor” and called the document request an “abusive fishing expedition.”
The lawsuit is among four claiming Pearson — a longtime ally of Adams — made sexual advances toward Ludemann, blocked her promotion after she rebuffed him, and retaliated against those who complained. The civil lawsuits allege a pattern of sexual harassment and corruption by Pearson.
Last month, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey filed for retirement after NYPD Lt. Quathisha Epps alleged he gave her more than $200,000 in overtime in exchange for sex. Maddrey has admitted he had a sexual relationship with Epps, but said it was consensual. After he filed for retirement, Maddrey was suspended without pay and his badge and firearm were taken away.
In Scola’s letter, he says he has “spoken with numerous individuals possessing direct knowledge of the internal operations of the NYPD and the ongoing investigations.” Scola says in the letter that the investigators include the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern and Eastern District along with the Internal Revenue Service, Manhattan District Attorney and the city’s Department of Investigation.
Adams is currently under federal indictment in connection to a bribery scheme alleging he traded luxury travel for fast tracking building permits. Adams has vigorously denied wrongdoing.
The IRS and federal prosecutors in Manhattan are also investigating top police brass for allegedly shaking down nightclubs for cash in exchange for favorable treatment from police. Former Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned weeks after authorities seized his phone in connection with that probe.
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new york city
public safety
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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