Former NYPD commissioner accuses Eric Adams of operating a criminal enterprise

In July 2025, Thomas Donlon, the former interim New York City Police Commissioner, initiated a federal lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams and several high-ranking NYPD officials, alleging systemic corruption within the police force. Donlon, who briefly held the commissioner position in late 2024, claimed that the department functioned as a criminal enterprise under the leadership of Adams. The suit includes serious accusations of unauthorized use of official stamps to promote unqualified personnel, obstruction of justice, and retaliation against those who spoke out about misconduct. Donlon argues that the actions of the NYPD leadership were driven by a desire to consolidate political power, undermining the ethical governance expected of law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, he alleges that when he raised concerns about promotional fraud and retaliatory practices, he faced severe personal repercussions, including the reported orchestration of a false arrest of his wife as an act of intimidation. The lawsuit is filed under the RICO Act, which is designed to combat organized crime, signaling the gravity of Donlon's claims. He accuses the inner circle of Mayor Adams—including Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry and others—of engaging in a coordinated scheme that illegally distributed public resources among loyalists and punished dissenters. The allegations highlight a troubling pattern not only of individual misconduct but also of a dysfunctional system within one of the country’s largest police departments. Donlon’s tenure, although short, was marked by significant upheaval following federal investigations and a previous commissioner's resignation, raising questions about the leadership and integrity of NYPD amidst ongoing scrutiny over law enforcement practices. Adams’s response to the lawsuit has been firmly dismissive, labeling the charges as baseless and reflective of Donlon's failure to effectively lead the department. In a robust defense of the NYPD, Adams claimed that his administration holds all employees, including police leadership, to high standards, and emphasized that crime rates across New York City have been declining. As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of this lawsuit could influence public perception of the police leadership, Adams’s re-election campaign, and broader discussions regarding police accountability and governance in urban law enforcement. The tension surrounding the lawsuit echoes in the backdrop of a political landscape wherein Adams is faced with opposition from various political figures, including Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani. The outcome of this lawsuit not only has ramifications for the involved parties but also reflects on the systemic issues within police governance that have become focal points in national discourse, drawing attention to the need for transparency and integrity in the administration of justice.