Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Former top NYPD lawyer is latest to file corruption suit against department, Adams
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Aug 7, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Aug 7, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A former top NYPD lawyer filed a lawsuit against the department and Mayor Eric Adams this week, accusing them of firing her after she investigated the highest-ranking uniformed officer and recommended disciplinary action against him.
The plaintiff, Amy Litwin, claims in the complaint that she was terminated from her position after issuing a detailed report in May 2023 about former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey. Litwin completed a review at the request of the Civilian Complaint Review Board following accusations that Maddrey used his position to void the arrest of a retired officer after that officer allegedly menaced teenagers with his gun drawn.
“Ms. Litwin – who was in charge of recommending discipline at the NYPD – had her career ripped away from her simply for doing her job. Time after time, she resisted intense pressure from Mayor Adams’ inner circle to ‘cheapen’ or ignore penalties for Adams’ clique,” her attorney Sarena Townsend said in a statement.
“And when Ms. Litwin dared to try to hold Adams’ Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey responsible for his criminal activity and reported that activity to the NYPD commissioner, that was the last straw – she was terminated,” Townsend added.
In a statement, City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus said Mayor Adams never directed the former police commissioner to terminate Litwin.
"As with any administration, agency leaders — including those at the NYPD — have every right to hire, promote, and dismiss employees for critical roles. We will respond further in court," she said. The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Maddrey later resigned following an unrelated accusation by a subordinate that he demanded sexual favors in exchange for approving overtime wages. He has denied that accusation.
Litwin's lawsuit is the latest in a string of corruption allegations brought in civil lawsuits by former top executives in the department. Most notably, former Police Commissioner Tom Donlon, claimed in a civil lawsuit last month that Adams and other NYPD officials ran the department as a “criminal enterprise.” Adams has said Donlon’s suit is baseless.
Litwin’s suit states that Keechant Sewell, who served as police commissioner at the time, agreed with Litwin’s conclusions in the report that Maddrey abused his authority and should face discipline. Sewell resigned weeks after the report was issued and Adams replaced her with Edward Caban, the suit states.
In August 2023, Caban summoned Litwin to his executive office and fired her, the suit states, adding that Maddrey was also in the conference room at the time.
“The decision to fire Litwin was made with the express and/or implied authority and consent of Mayor Adams,” the suit states.
The suit also names Caban and Maddrey as defendants. Lawyers for Caban and Maddrey did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story has been updated wit a comment from a City Hall spokesperson.
Tagged
Politics
new york city
public safety
Ben Feuerherd
Ben Feuerherd covers public safety and policing for WNYC and Gothamist. He previously covered federal courts for The New York Post and The Messenger. His work has also appeared in POLITICO, the Daily Beast and NBC New York. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .