Federal Judge Dismisses Ex‑NYPD Commissioner’s RICO Suit Alleging 'Systemic Corruption'
A federal judge has dismissed a RICO lawsuit filed by a former NYPD commissioner who alleged "systemic corruption" within the police department. The ruling rejects the ex‑commissioner’s claims that the NYPD operated as a corrupt enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
📌 Key Facts
- Judge Denise Cote dismissed Thomas Donlon’s racketeering lawsuit against the NYPD and former Mayor Eric Adams, ruling the allegations did not establish RICO 'racketeering activity' or a unified 'common purpose.'
- Donlon, a longtime FBI official appointed interim NYPD commissioner in 2024 after Edward Caban resigned amid a corruption probe, alleged 'systemic corruption and criminal conduct' including inflated overtime and suppression of internal investigations.
- Donlon’s attorney says he has appealed the ruling to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing he was pushed out for refusing to participate in illegal conduct.
- The case is among multiple lawsuits by senior NYPD officials citing corruption and cronyism under Adams, and follows federal bribery charges against other former NYPD leaders from that administration.
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