NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — NYPD Chief of Internal Affairs Miguel Iglesias was removed from his position on Saturday after sexual misconduct allegations levied against former Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey surfaced Friday night.
Iglesias—who the NYPD said was “relieved of his command” and notified the department of his intention to retire—will be replaced by Edward Thompson in the interim, a 38-year police veteran who has worked in the Internal Affairs Bureau for a decade.
“Above all else, the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau must always be dedicated to preserving integrity and rooting out corruption in all its forms,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. “It is an essential function that is crucial to maintaining honor and nobility in the profession and preserving public trust. Chief Thompson is up to the task.”
The shakeup follows Maddrey’s sudden resignation from his position as the department’s top uniformed officer over allegations of sexual abuse by Lt. Quathisha Epps, who holds an administrative position in his former office,
Epps alleges in a complaint filed Saturday with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that Maddrey coerced her into performing “unwanted sexual favors in exchange for overtime opportunities in the workplace.”
Epps said that when she pushed back against the misconduct, Maddrey retaliated by claiming she was abusing overtime, prompting the department to launch a review. Her attorney, Eric Sanders, said that this led to Epps being suspended without pay, despite her putting in her retirement notice earlier this week.
“Ms. Epps has endured profound harm at the hands of individuals who exploited their positions of power for personal gain,” Sanders said in a statement. “The retaliation she faced for standing up to this abuse underscores the need for immediate reforms to address systemic failures within the NYPD.”
The NYPD did not comment on the allegations, simply stating that “The NYPD takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously, and will thoroughly investigate this matter.”
According to City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus, Mayor Eric Adams is collaborating with Tisch as the department investigates the allegations and assesses high-ranking personnel in a broader probe into department conduct.
“We are deeply disturbed by these allegations and the NYPD is investigating this matter,” she said. “Mayor Adams is working in close coordination with Police Commissioner Tisch as the NYPD conducts a separate department-wide review to ensure no high ranking officers are using their power inappropriately.”
Mamelak Altus said that City Hall would “refrain from commenting further to avoid jeopardizing either investigation.”
Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres on Sunday morning lauded the move by Tisch to remove Iglesias from his position over the mishandling of allegations, stating that “That is what we call accountability. Those who fail the people of New York should be fired.”