Former NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey Under Federal Scrutiny After Sex-for-Overtime Allegations and Corruption Searches.
Former New York Police Department Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, once the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the nation’s largest police department, resigned in December 2024 after explosive allegations that he demanded sexual favors from a subordinate in exchange for overtime opportunities.
The allegations were brought by NYPD Lt. Quathisha Epps, who filed a complaint accusing Maddrey of “quid pro quo sexual harassment.” According to Associated Press reporting, Epps alleged that Maddrey coerced her into unwanted sexual favors tied to overtime opportunities and retaliated against her after she pushed back.
Maddrey resigned on Friday, December 20, 2024, with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch accepting his resignation effective immediately. The NYPD said it took allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and would investigate the matter. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office also confirmed it was investigating, calling the claims “extremely serious and disturbing,” according to the AP.
Epps was reportedly the NYPD’s top earner in fiscal year 2024, taking home more than $400,000, much of it through overtime. That overtime became a central issue in the scandal. Epps alleged the overtime was tied to Maddrey’s abuse of power, while Maddrey’s attorney denied the allegations and argued the relationship was consensual.
Federal attention soon followed. In January 2025, FBI agents searched Maddrey’s Queens home as part of a joint investigation after the sex-for-overtime allegations surfaced. AP reported that law enforcement executed warrants at multiple locations and that the investigation involved the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau, federal authorities, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and the New York City Department of Investigation.
The scandal did not end there. On June 24, 2026, the FBI, NYPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York carried out additional searches connected to a criminal corruption investigation involving current and former NYPD officials. CBS News reported that the searches stemmed from an ongoing probe into Maddrey’s conduct and focused on allegations that he accepted bribes in exchange for favors, promotions, and assignments.
ABC7 New York reported that FBI agents and NYPD personnel were seen outside Maddrey’s Queens home during the June 2026 searches. The same report said investigators were also examining promotions and assignments within the department and noted that no arrests were expected that day.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the searches were part of an ongoing criminal investigation into conduct by former and current NYPD members. She said the action was tied to her commitment to ensure the NYPD conducted itself with integrity and to investigate claims that members of the department failed to meet that standard.
Maddrey’s history had already drawn scrutiny before the sex-for-overtime scandal. In a separate disciplinary matter, the Civilian Complaint Review Board pursued a case over a November 2021 incident in which Maddrey ordered officers to void the arrest of a retired officer who had previously worked for him. That retired officer had been accused of waving a gun at three children. An NYPD administrative trial judge later recommended dropping the disciplinary case, finding that the CCRB lacked jurisdiction over the internal stationhouse interaction. AP reported that the final discipline decision rested with the police commissioner.
As of this writing, Maddrey has denied wrongdoing in the sex-for-overtime matter. His attorney has characterized the relationship with Epps as consensual and has denied that Maddrey demanded sex in exchange for overtime. The 2026 corruption-related investigation also remains ongoing based on public reporting.
For the NYPD, the Maddrey scandal is not simply about one former chief. It raises larger questions about power, retaliation, overtime abuse, internal accountability, and whether high-ranking police officials are held to the same standards as the officers they command. When the person accused of misconduct is the department’s top uniformed officer, the public has every reason to demand transparency, independent investigation, and real consequences if the allegations are proven.
Sources:
- Associated Press: NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations
- Associated Press: FBI agents search Jeffrey Maddrey’s home amid sex-for-overtime allegations
- CBS News: FBI, NYPD carry out searches tied to bribery investigation into current and former NYPD officials
- ABC7 New York: FBI, NYPD conduct searches in corruption investigation of police executives
- Associated Press: Administrative judge recommends dropping Jeffrey Maddrey disciplinary case
