In New York City, former interim police commissioner Thomas Donlon has filed a $10 million defamation claim against Mayor Eric Adams. This legal action comes after Adams reportedly implied that Donlon was mentally unfit for the responsibilities of the top cop role. The claim was initiated less than a week after Donlon filed a separate lawsuit accusing Adams and senior officials of running the NYPD as a criminal enterprise that favored unqualified loyalists while punishing whistleblowers. Donlon alleged that he was marginalized for his attempts to address corruption within the department.
According to attendees at a meeting with a nonprofit business advocacy group, Mayor Adams reportedly stated that he fired the 71-year-old Donlon because of his "rapidly deteriorating mental" condition. These comments were referenced in Donlon’s legal claim, as he believes they constitute defamatory remarks. The allegation of mental decline was supported by Tarik Sheppard, the former top spokesperson for the NYPD, who is also named in Donlon's lawsuit. Sheppard claimed that Donlon was experiencing "cognitive issues" and suggested there was a conspiracy against him.
Donlon's attorney, John Scola, characterized the comments as a "public character assassination." Scola contended that the remarks aimed to misuse mental health discussions to suppress a whistleblower's voice. Donlon brings a wealth of experience to the table, having been a former FBI official. He was appointed as interim commissioner in September 2024 amid a backdrop of federal investigations and significant resignations within the department. He served until November 2024, when he was succeeded by the current police commissioner, Jessica Tisch.
During his brief tenure, Donlon asserted that he uncovered "systemic corruption" involving members of Mayor Adams’ close circle. He alleged that there was a scheme in place that provided promotions and benefits to loyalists in exchange for political favors. Additionally, Donlon's lawsuit alleges that Sheppard misappropriated his signature to secure a raise for himself and subsequently made threats against Donlon when confronted about it. Sheppard has denied these allegations, and inquiries to City Hall regarding the defamation claim have not been answered.
In reaction to the situation, Kayla Mamelak Altus, a spokesperson for Adams, labeled Donlon’s claims as "absurd," referring to him as a disgruntled ex-employee who was ineffective in leadership roles. This defamation claim signifies a growing trend, as it aligns with recent lawsuits from several high-ranking former NYPD officials, all targeting Adams and his administration for fostering corruption and favoritism within the police department.
Earlier in October, four former senior NYPD officials filed separate lawsuits making similar accusations against Adams and his deputies, further intensifying scrutiny on the mayor’s leadership style. In defense of his administration, a spokesperson for Adams asserted that the city holds all employees, including NYPD leaders, to the highest standards of accountability.
