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NYC taxpayers won’t fund defense of 2 former Adams allies’ sexual misconduct suits
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Mar 13, 2026
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Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Mar 13, 2026
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City taxpayers will no longer be footing the bill to defend two former NYPD officers and Eric Adams allies who were both accused of repeated sexual misconduct.
The city’s Law Department dropped Timothy Pearson — a former close adviser — and Jeffrey Maddrey — who was promoted under Adams administration promoted to the NYPD's Chief of Department — after City Council Speaker Julie Menin and others raised concerns in recent months.
During the Feb. 4 confirmation hearing for Corporation Counsel Steven Banks to head the city’s law department, Menin said the Council was not happy about using taxpayers’ dollars to fund the two former officials’ legal defense.
Maddrey resigned from his post two years ago after being accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a female subordinate in exchange for overtime pay. Pearson also resigned two years ago after being accused of making repeated sexual advances, and even blocking the promotion of a female subordinate in retaliation for refusing his advances.
“Taxpayer dollars must be used responsibly, and New Yorkers should not be footing the bill for legal defenses tied to allegations of workplace misconduct,” Menin said in a statement Friday. “I’m encouraged that the Law Department is taking steps to ensure public funds are not used inappropriately in these types of cases.”
Banks said he reviewed the details of the cases and found the men did not qualify for representation.
“Based on my review of new evidence since the original decisions were made, I have determined that [Pearson] is not entitled to representation by the City in these matters. Thus, the City will no longer pay for Mr. Pearson’s legal representation,” Banks said. “Similarly, based on my review of new evidence, I have also determined Jeffrey Maddrey is not entitled to representation under the General Municipal Law in the four lawsuits involving allegations against Mr. Pearson.”
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Politics
new york city
public safety
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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