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By: Ellen Cans
The NYPD suffered an embarrassing blow, with the bombshell report alleging sexual abuse on the part of former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey. In response to the disturbing report, the department moved to also oust Chief of Internal Affairs Miguel Iglesias on Saturday, over the bureau’s handling of the shocking allegations.
As reported by the NY Post, the news came after the NYPD launched a department-wide personnel review on Saturday, in coordination with Mayor Adams, after allegations that Maddrey demanded sexual favors from a subordinate in exchange for staggering overtime pay. The matter was apparently an “open secret”, with police sources and accusers alleging that the issue and other departments should have been probed earlier.
On Saturday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who was named to the top post in November, moved to oust the head of the department’s Internal Affairs Bureau, saying there were several ignored requests to investigate the hefty overtime payments being doled out by Maddrey. “Earlier today, Chief of Internal Affairs Miguel Iglesias was relieved of his command and has notified the Department of his intent to retire,” Tisch posted to X. “Above all else, the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau must always be dedicated to preserving integrity and rooting out corruption in all its forms. It is an essential function that is crucial to maintaining honor and nobility in the profession and preserving public trust.”
On Friday night, Maddrey himself had resigned after the scathing reports of the sex scandal broke out. Maddrey will be replaced by Chief of Patrol John Chell who will take on as interim chief of department, while Philip Rivera will take over Chell’s duties as the head of the patrol division, the NYPD said. On Saturday, following the news that requests for a probe had been brushed off, Tisch asked Mayor Eric Adams for his approval to relieve Iglesias of his position, said a source for the Post.
Adams agreed and Iglesias subsequently opted to retire, immediately submitting his resignation. Chief Miguel Iglesias will be replaced in the interim by Edward A. Thompson, who is a 38-year veteran of the NYPD, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced. Iglesias, who was “very tight” with Maddrey, ignored many requests from the police commissioner to investigate the lieutenant’s overtime charges, sources said.
Per the Post, Maddrey, the city’s top uniformed cop, was accused in a formal complaint by Lt. Quathisha Epps, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging that he forced her into a sexual relationship and routinely preying up on her, asking for sex in NYPD headquarters, in exchange for overtime pay. Lt. Epps, 51, alleges that Maddrey’s sexual demands began in June 2023, when he landed the position as Chief of Department, and continued until last week. NYPD Records show that Epps worked nearly 1,627 hours of overtime last year on top of her regular shift, for an average of about 74 hours a week. Epps’ base salary of $164,477 plus the overtime pay, brought Epps’ total compensation to over $400,000 – making her the highest-paid NYPD employee.
At least two other department women have also accused Maddrey of wrongdoing. “He’s a predator,” a police source told The Post of Maddrey. “It’s an open secret. Everyone knows who he is.” Tisch and Adams agreed that a personnel review at internal affairs was past due, a source for the Post said.
