The latest scandal to rock the New York City Police Department (NYPD) is one that no one saw coming. Jeffrey Maddrey, the department’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, stepped down from his position on Friday, Dec. 20, after being accused of sexual misconduct.
Then, just hours after Maddrey’s resignation, Miguel Iglesias—the Chief of Internal Affairs—was relieved of his command by NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch. In an X post, Tisch explained the reason for this abrupt decision.
“Above all else, the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau must always be dedicated to preserving integrity and rooting out corruption in all its forms,” she wrote. “It is an essential function that is crucial to maintaining honor and nobility in the profession and preserving public trust.”
Maddrey’s resignation occurred after Lt. Quathisha Epps, one of his subordinates, accused him of exchanging sex for overtime in a complaint as well sexual coercion. A bombshell interview with the New York Post was published right before the filing. In the article, she called Maddrey a predator.
The complaint was officially filed on Saturday (Dec. 21). According to CBS News, Maddrey’s behavior continued for over a year. The outlet also reported that Epps’ salary in 2023 was around $164,000. However, when overtime was added, she made more than $400,000.
Lambros Lambrou, Maddrey’s attorney, denied the allegations in a statement to the Post. “What a convenient time to accuse somebody of misconduct after she’s caught stealing time,” Lambrou said.
“She’s obviously drowning and in the deep end of the pool without a lifesaver. She wants to take down as many people as she can. This is completely meritless, and we deny every aspect of it.”
In 1991, Maddrey started his career in the NYPD and worked his way up the ranks. However, he has had his fair share of scandals during his tenure.
An oversight board recommended that he should have received disciplinary action for interfering with a 2021 arrest. However, the case was later dismissed. Maddrey has also been accused of sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the past, though he has denied both.
A spokesperson for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was indicted in September on bribery and other charges, released a statement per ABC 7 about the allegations against Maddrey.
“We are deeply disturbed by these allegations and the NYPD is investigating this matter,” they said. “Mayor Adams is working in close coordination with Police Commissioner Tisch as the NYPD conducts a separate department-wide review to ensure no high ranking officers are using their power inappropriately.”