By: Meyer Wolfsheim

A New York City police lieutenant is blowing the whistle on what he claims is a widespread scheme inside the NYPD: high-ranking cops allegedly using department vehicles as personal commuter cars — allowing them to dodge the same congestion-pricing tolls that ordinary New Yorkers are forced to pay every day, the NY Post reported.

The explosive allegations come from Lt. Joseph Abdelmessih, who filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court accusing at least nine NYPD bosses of abusing the perk of department-issued vehicles. According to the NY Post, Abdelmessih says the officials regularly pick up NYPD cars near their homes, drive them to their assignments, sign in while already on the road, and avoid Manhattan congestion fees, gas costs, tolls, and even basic parking expenses that commuters deal with constantly.

The highest-ranking officer named is Capt. Jackeline Bodden, who, as the NY Post noted, was promoted to captain in August 2024. She allegedly used an NYPD vehicle as a lieutenant to travel roughly 18 miles from Harlem to the Community Center in East New York. Abdelmessih argues in the suit that Bodden received a promotion despite engaging in “the exact same alleged infractions” he was charged with.

The NY Post previously exposed Abdelmessih in February for his own questionable commuting routine — leaving his Mercedes at his Staten Island home, signing in on the job, and then using an NYPD vehicle to travel into Manhattan. That setup let him avoid an estimated $20,000 in tolls, the Post reported. After the exposé, Internal Affairs questioned him, issued department charges, and transferred him to Brooklyn.

Now Abdelmessih claims he was unfairly singled out while other NYPD Community Affairs Bureau bosses were allowed to continue the same practice without consequences. His lawsuit, filed by attorney John Scola, says Deputy Chief Richie Taylor even gave him permission to use the vehicle for duties overseeing clergy.

Among the officials named in the suit:

– Lt. Anthony Miolan, accused of using a department vehicle to commute roughly 30 miles each way between Merrick, LI, and his job at the 13th Precinct in Chelsea.

– Lts. Sharisse Sanders, Gesner Charles, and Daniel Schmelter.

– Sgt. Sesame James, also identified in the court papers.

– Detectives Tanya Duhaney and Tanesha Facey, the latter now in the NYPD Aviation Unit.

– Lt. Duran Mclean, accused of commuting about five miles from Flatlands to a Brooklyn community center.

A police source told the NY Post that using department cars in this way gives these cops not only toll immunity but taxpayer-funded gasoline, preferred parking, and even the ability to switch on lights or sirens to bypass traffic. “These are bosses and they’ve been getting away with murder for the longest time,” the source said. “Taxpayers are paying you to do this. It’s a scam.”

Ordinary New Yorkers raged when told about what the NY Post called a “Free-Z Pass.” Brooklyn biomedical engineer Karen Guevara said she has paid up to $400 a week on tolls, gas, parking, and tickets.