The NYPD's highest-ranking police officer resigned suddenly on Friday amid devastating allegations that he solicited sexual favors from his police subordinates, the latest scandal to rock… NYPD and Adams management.
The surprise resignation of Department Chief Jeffrey Maddhury came just hours before Lt. Kwathesha Epps, who holds an administrative position in Maddhury's office, filed a sexual harassment complaint against him. State Human Rights Division, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Epps alleges that Maddrey “engaged in quid pro quo sexual harassment” by forcing her to perform unwanted sexual favors in exchange for overtime opportunities in the workplace.
Department Head Jeffrey Maddrey speaks with the media earlier this year. (Theodore Parisien for the New York Daily News via Getty Images)
NYPD Chief Resigns as Mayor Diem's Inner Circle Facing a Potential Corruption Probe
The complaint also alleges that Madry forced Epps to “groom” another female officer, “subjecting that officer to unwanted sexual advances and conduct, including sexual intercourse, within the workplace.”
Epps also accuses Madry, who is married, of maintaining an inappropriate sexual relationship with another female investigator, exposing Epps “to further sexually abusive conduct in person and through her cell phone.”
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chill took over as interim chief of the department Friday night and that Felipe Rivera is now interim chief of patrol, the NYPD said in a news release Saturday morning.
Kwathesha Epps attends the New York City Police Foundation Gala at the New York Hilton Midtown on April 30, 2019, in New York City. (Gonzalo Marroquin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The statement did not mention Madry, but the NYPD confirmed on Saturday to Fox News Digital that Madry had resigned from the NYPD, though the agency did not provide a reason.
“Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch accepted the resignation of Department Chief Jeffrey Madry on Friday night, effective immediately,” an NYPD spokesperson said via email. “The NYPD takes all allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter.”
Epps made headlines earlier this week when New York PostShe revealed, citing payroll records, that she was paid a whopping $400,000, including nearly $204,000 in overtime last year alone, for her administrative job in Madre's office. She claims in the filing that Maddhury cooked up overtime numbers in October after she began rejecting his advances.
She says this led to a criminal and internal investigation being conducted against her in retaliation.
In the complaint, Epps said she met with Madry earlier this week with the intention of leaving the force after she said she was publicly portrayed as “abusing overtime.” She says that Madhuri asked for a sexual favor, so she complied. I then applied to retire from the NYPD via an earned interest pension.
A spokesman for Adams said his office is “deeply disturbed by these allegations, and the NYPD is investigating this matter.”
Former NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban, in September. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“Mayor Adams is working in close coordination with Police Commissioner Tisch as the NYPD conducts a separate department-wide review to ensure high-ranking officers are not using their authority inappropriately. We will refrain from commenting further to avoid jeopardizing either investigation.”
The controversy is the latest turmoil to hit the NYPD. Former Commissioner Edward Caban resigned in September amid the surrounding federal investigations New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Adams then appointed Tom Donlon, a former FBI counterterrorism expert, as interim commissioner, and was replaced two months later by Tisch, who was then appointed on a permanent basis.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It was Adams He was indicted by a federal grand jury In September he faces five charges, including bribery, soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, fraud and conspiracy. Federal prosecutors accused Adams of accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Mayor Eric Adams leaves a press conference with Ingrid Lewis Martin at City Hall on January 2, 2024, in Manhattan, New York (Barry Williams for New York Daily News via Getty Images)
Ingrid Lewis Martin, a senior adviser to Adams, resigned on Sunday and has since been indicted on bribery charges.
Prosecutors said Lois Martin and her son were paid more than $100,000 and received other assistance in exchange for her quick approvals on construction projects. She has pleaded not guilty.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
