FBI agents search home of top NYPD official amid allegations he demanded sex for overtime pay

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal agents on Thursday searched the home of a former top New York police officer who resigned at the end of last month after being accused of demanding sex from a subordinate in exchange for opportunities to earn extra pay.

Law enforcement executed arrest warrants at several locations, including at the home of Jeffrey Maddrey, the NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, as part of a joint investigation, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement.

An FBI spokesperson confirmed that agents conducted “court-authorized law enforcement activities” at Maddrey’s Queens address. It was not immediately clear what other locations were searched.

“Under my leadership, the New York City Police Department’s Bureau of Internal Affairs is working with law enforcement authorities to investigate allegations against former Department Chief Jeffrey Maddrey,” Tisch said in a press release.

Maddrey was accused last month of engaging in “quid pro quo sexual harassment” with a female subordinate and coercing her to “perform unwanted sexual favors in exchange for overtime opportunities.”

His accuser, Quathisha Epps, was the NYPD’s primary source of income in fiscal year 2024, bringing in over $400,000 while holding an administrative position in Maddrey’s office. Her attorney, Eric Sanders, said Maddrey repeatedly requested sexual favors at police headquarters and threatened retaliation if she didn’t comply.

Maddrey, through her lawyer, admitted to having a “consensual and adult relationship” with the woman, but denied any sexual misconduct. He resigned days after the allegations became public.

Tisch directed questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which declined to comment. An attorney for Maddrey also did not respond to a request Thursday.

The federal arrest warrants add to investigations into alleged abuse by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the city’s Department of Investigation.

“These are extremely serious and disturbing allegations that allegedly took place at NYPD headquarters in Manhattan,” a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.

Maddrey, who joined the force in 1991, was a longtime ally of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain who now faces federal fees corruption and solicitation of illegal contributions to foreign election campaigns.

Maddrey’s resignation follows months of scandal and leadership changes within the New York Police Department, the nation’s largest police department. In September, Commissioner Edward Caban resigned after federal agents searched his home as part of a wide-ranging investigation into Adams’ inner circle.

Timothy Pearson, another Adams adviser with wide latitude over the NYPD, later resigned after investigators seized devices and cash from home. He was also accused of sexual harassment by several colleagues.

Neither Pearson nor Caban have been criminally charged and both have denied wrongdoing.

Adams said the city’s current police commissioner will undertake a review of overtime spending.

“She is conducting her review internally and we will decide how we move forward with these allegations,” he said.