NYC Probation Staffer Fired for Blowing Whistle on Alleged Affair

Lawsuit claims investigator was terminated after reporting concerns about agency leadership under Mamdani appointee

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:12pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty government office desk, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and casting deep shadows across the surface. The scene evokes a sense of quiet contemplation and the weight of bureaucratic power.The alleged misconduct within New York City's Department of Probation casts a somber shadow over the public's trust in local government.NYC Today

A city Department of Probation investigator named Ebony Huntley has filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired the day after reporting concerns about the agency's leadership under new Probation Commissioner Sharun Goodwin, who was appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Huntley's lawsuit alleges that her termination was retaliation for her whistleblowing, which included the incendiary claim that Goodwin had a prior intimate relationship with the department's General Counsel, Wayne McKenzie.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and abuse of power within the Mamdani administration, as well as the city's commitment to protecting whistleblowers who report wrongdoing by government officials.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Huntley, a retired NYPD lieutenant, was fired from her $170,000-a-year job as a chief investigator for the Department of Probation. She claims the city also owes her $200,000 in unpaid wages during her short stint with the agency. Huntley's lawsuit alleges that she reached out to the city's Department of Investigation with concerns about Goodwin's leadership, including the claim of an intimate relationship between Goodwin and McKenzie, whom Goodwin re-hired after being appointed by Mamdani in late January.

  • Goodwin was appointed Probation Commissioner by Mayor Mamdani in late January 2026.
  • Huntley reported her concerns to the Department of Investigation on April 9, 2026.
  • Huntley was fired from her job on April 10, 2026, the day after reporting her concerns.

The players

Ebony Huntley

A retired NYPD lieutenant who was a chief investigator for the New York City Department of Probation.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who appointed Sharun Goodwin as the new Probation Commissioner.

Sharun Goodwin

The new Probation Commissioner appointed by Mayor Mamdani in late January 2026.

Wayne McKenzie

The General Counsel of the New York City Department of Probation, who was re-hired by Goodwin after her appointment.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Huntley is currently pending, and it remains to be seen how the city will respond to the allegations of wrongdoing and retaliation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of whistleblower protections and the need for robust oversight and accountability within city government, especially when it comes to potential conflicts of interest and abuse of power by high-ranking officials.