Ex-NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey's home searched amid sexual misconduct investigation
NEW YORK -- The FBI searched two properties belonging to former NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey Thursday.
The searches come as NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced he has been formally suspended from the force.
"At my direction, the Internal Affairs Bureau of the New York City Police Department is working with law enforcement authorities to investigate allegations against former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey," Tisch posted on social media Thursday morning. "Maddrey was suspended from the department this morning, as law enforcement agents executed search warrants at several locations, including his residence. Any further inquiries about the subject matter should be directed to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York."
The FBI later confirmed to CBS News New York it "carried out a court authorized law enforcement action," while the Southern District of New York declined to comment. We're told search warrants were also executed at other locations connected to the case.
Exclusive video shows FBI agents bringing items out of Maddrey's home in Cambria Heights. A few miles away, FBI agents and the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau searched another property in Rosedale.
Maddrey resigned from his role as the department's highest ranking uniformed in mid-December amid the sexual misconduct allegations. The NYPD says once a member puts in for retirement, they are still on the books for 30 days, but can be suspended if they're found in violation of the rules or committed a criminal act.
Maddrey facing sexual misconduct investigation
The former chief is accused of trading sexual favors in exchange for overtime.
Lt. Quathisha Epps filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, saying the alleged abuse started last year and continued up until last month.
Epps alleges Maddrey engaged in efforts "to coerce her into performing unwanted sexual favors in exchange for overtime opportunities." She says that included intercourse in the office.
According to publicly available payroll data, Epps made a salary of more than $164,000 last year, but after overtime was factored in she took home more than $400,000.
After refusing his advances in October, she claims Maddrey retaliated by "orchestrating an intentionally manipulated Monthly Overtime Report," which resulted in "a criminal and internal investigation opened against her."
It's not clear why the allegations have turned into a federal investigation.
"That could be several factors. What type of relationship was going on? Was there fraud involved? Not just necessarily city fraud, but applications for loans?" said former NYPD detective and professor at John Jay David Sami.
The Southern District of New York is not commenting on the investigation.
Maddrey claims relationship was consensual
A week after he resigned, Maddrey and his attorney held a news conference to deny the allegations.
His attorney said Epps was upset she didn't get a promotion and claimed Epps, who filed for retirement earlier in the month, has been under investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau since October for excessive overtime she never worked.
"Lieutenant Epps got caught with her hand in cookie jar and is trying to deflect her wrongdoing by making these allegations against Chief Maddrey in the hopes that she'll get away with part or all of her scheme. However the truth is Lieutenant Epps had consensual adult relationship, albeit for a short time, with Jeff," said attorney Lambros Lambrou.
Lambrou said they have evidence to prove the relationship was consensual, including phone calls, videos and racy pictures he alleges Epps sent to Maddrey to initiate the relationship.
Meanwhile, the NYPD, Department of Investigation and Manhattan District Attorney's office continue to investigate the claims. Tisch has appointed Chief of Patrol John Chell to take over as chief of department.
