PRESS RELEASE
Explosive Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Filed Against NYPD’s Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey
New York, NY – December 21, 2024 – Today, Lieutenant Quantisha Epps, represented by civil rights attorney Eric Sanders, Esq., of The Sanders Firm, P.C., filed a formal charge with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey. This filing exposes an alleged troubling pattern of alleged quid pro quo sexual harassment, abuse of power, and retaliation within the nation’s largest police department. The charges detail the former Chief of the Department’s alleged exploitation of female subordinates, the systemic failures of the NYPD to intervene, and a culture of retaliation aimed at silencing victims.
Allegations of Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
The complaint accuses former Chief Maddrey, the NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed officer, of leveraging his position to coerce Lieutenant Epps into unwanted sexual acts in exchange for professional benefits, including overtime opportunities. The complaint further alleges that Maddrey used his knowledge of Epps’s financial vulnerabilities, emotional history, childhood trauma, and status as a survivor of domestic violence to manipulate her into compliance with his predatory demands.
The allegations outline a pattern of coercive behavior by Maddrey, including instructing Epps to facilitate access to another female officer, a survivor of domestic violence, to subject her to unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate conduct. This exploitation allegedly extended to other female employees in the department, highlighting a broader culture of predation within the NYPD’s senior ranks.
An Abuse of Power and Financial Coercion
Chief Maddrey is accused of financially exploiting Lieutenant Epps by granting her overtime opportunities only to demand monetary compensation. The complaint alleges that Maddrey forced Epps to pay for personal expenses, including funding a trip to Miami for him and his wife, creating financial and emotional strain on her. According to the filing, such conduct underscores a systemic misuse of power within the department to extract personal and financial benefits from vulnerable employees.
A Shocking Demand in December 2024
The filing reveals that on December 16, 2024, as Lieutenant Epps considered filing for retirement due to overwhelming retaliation and ‘false’ public accusations of overtime abuse, Chief Maddrey approached her in her office. He allegedly promised to speak with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on her behalf but only on the condition that she perform a coerced sexual act. Feeling she had no other choice, Epps complied under duress. Devastated by this interaction, she immediately filed for a Vested Interest Retirement Pension with the New York City Police Pension Fund. This incident, as alleged, represents the culmination of more than a year of abuse and exploitation.
Retaliation Through Manipulation and Investigations
The complaint also details Maddrey’s retaliation after Epps began to resist his advances. The filing alleges that senior NYPD officials, including First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella and Lieutenant Leslie Trenor, manipulated Monthly Overtime Reports to portray Epps as an abuser of overtime falsely. Meanwhile, the Monthly Overtime Report was intentionally manipulated to hide the true number of overtime abusers throughout the department throughout former Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban’s administration and the current administration, especially in the offices of the First Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz R. Daughtry, Chief of Department, Chief of Patrol John M. Chell and others. Shortly after rejecting Maddrey, Epps became the target of a retaliatory criminal and internal investigation, further damaging her career and reputation.
Attorney Eric Sanders stated:
“The retaliatory measures taken against Lieutenant Epps represent a deliberate and calculated attempt to silence her and destroy her credibility. These actions are part of a broader pattern within the NYPD that protects abusers while punishing those who dare to come forward. Chief Maddrey’s conduct and the systemic failures that enabled it demand urgent accountability and reform.”
Systemic Failures Within the NYPD
The filing asserts that the NYPD has a long history of failing to protect female officers from predatory behavior by male supervisors, instead fostering a culture of silence, retaliation, and victim-blaming. Despite multiple misconduct allegations, Chief Maddrey was promoted to the highest uniformed position within the department by Mayor Eric L. Adams, raising serious questions about the city’s commitment to accountability and justice.
The systemic failures described in the filing extend beyond Maddrey’s actions, implicating senior NYPD leadership in enabling and perpetuating a hostile work environment. The complaint highlights how senior officials allegedly manipulated internal systems, including overtime reports, to shield abusers and punish victims, further institutionalizing a culture of harassment and retaliation.
A Call for Accountability and Justice
Lieutenant Epps’s filing represents more than a personal quest for justice; it is a call to action to address the systemic culture of harassment, abuse, and retaliation within the NYPD. The case underscores the urgent need for structural reforms to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection for victims of workplace misconduct.
Attorney Eric Sanders added:
“Lieutenant Epps’s courage in coming forward sheds light on the pervasive culture of exploitation and retaliation within the NYPD. This is not just about holding one individual accountable; it’s about dismantling a system that allows abuse to thrive unchecked.”
Broader Implications for the NYPD and City Leadership
The allegations against Chief Maddrey have far-reaching implications for the leadership of the NYPD and the City of New York. Despite his alleged history of predatory behavior, the decision to promote Maddrey raises concerns about the department’s vetting processes and its commitment to ensuring a safe and equitable workplace for all employees.
Lieutenant Epps’s case shines a spotlight on the need for systemic change, not just within the NYPD but across all institutions that have historically failed to protect employees from abuse. This case challenges city leadership to take decisive action to rebuild trust and ensure accountability at every level of the department.
Next Steps
The filing with the EEOC marks the beginning of a legal process that aims to hold Chief Maddrey and the NYPD accountable for their actions. Through The Sanders Firm, P.C., Lieutenant Epps intends to pursue every avenue to seek justice, ensure her voice is heard, and advocate for meaningful reforms to protect future victims from similar harm.
Call to Action
Epps’s case has brought national attention to the issue of gender discrimination in law enforcement. Her charge challenges the status quo and seeks to create a safer, more equitable work environment for all officers. The legal proceedings in this case will be closely watched, as they have the potential to influence how similar cases are handled across the state and beyond.
For more information on this case and its developments, visit The Sanders Firm, P.C., or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
Contact Information
The Sanders Firm, P.C.
30 Wall Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Phone: 212-652-2782
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