Judge Dismisses Ex-NYPD Commissioner's Lawsuit Alleging 'Systemic Corruption'

Lawsuit accused NYC mayor and top deputies of operating police department as 'criminal enterprise'

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by New York City's former interim police commissioner, Thomas Donlon, that accused the previous mayor, Eric Adams, and his top deputies of operating the NYPD as a 'criminal enterprise' and enabling 'systemic corruption and criminal conduct' within the department.

Why it matters

The dismissal of Donlon's lawsuit raises questions about accountability and transparency within the NYPD, as well as the ability of high-ranking officials to address alleged corruption from within the department's leadership.

The details

Donlon, a longtime FBI official, was appointed by Adams to stabilize the scandal-scarred police department. However, Donlon said he encountered 'systemic corruption and criminal conduct' enabled by Adams and his allies, who routinely inflated overtime, blocked internal investigations, and punished whistleblowers. The judge ruled that the alleged misconduct did not meet the definition of racketeering activity because the lawsuit did not describe the defendants acting with 'a common purpose'.

  • Donlon was appointed as interim police commissioner by Mayor Adams following the resignation of the previous commissioner, Edward Caban, in 2026.
  • Donlon served as interim commissioner for about two months before being replaced by Jessica Tisch, who continues to lead the department.
  • Donlon filed the lawsuit in July 2026, and the judge dismissed it in February 2026.

The players

Thomas Donlon

New York City's former interim police commissioner, a longtime FBI official appointed by Mayor Adams to stabilize the scandal-scarred police department.

Eric Adams

The previous mayor of New York City, accused by Donlon of operating the NYPD as a 'criminal enterprise'.

Edward Caban

The previous police commissioner whose phone was seized by federal officials as part of a sprawling probe into the administration.

Jessica Tisch

The current police commissioner who replaced Donlon as interim commissioner.

Denise Cote

The federal judge who dismissed Donlon's lawsuit.

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What’s next

Donlon has already appealed the judge's decision to dismiss his lawsuit, and the case will now be heard by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

The takeaway

The dismissal of Donlon's lawsuit highlights the challenges of addressing alleged corruption within the upper echelons of the NYPD, and raises concerns about the ability of high-ranking officials to hold the department's leadership accountable for misconduct.