Former NYPD Chief Alleges Promotions Were Illegally Sold in New Lawsuit

In a newly filed lawsuit, James Essig, the NYPD’s former chief of detectives, claims he was pushed out of the department in retaliation for raising red flags about what he described as improper promotions and transfers. The complaint further alleges that top NYPD officials were “selling promotions” for as much as $15,000, though these claims have not been proven.

Essig, who retired in September 2023 after four decades of service, says he was forced to step down from his position as a three-star chief after challenging then-Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey and then-First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban. He claims that promotions and transfers to elite posts within the Detective Bureau were being made in violation of standard NYPD procedures.

According to the lawsuit, Maddrey allegedly began bypassing the department’s official process for reassignments starting in 2023.

The complaint states: “Essig noticed that there were a high number of unusual and/or unvetted transfers of Investigators to the CTFD [Criminal Task Force Division].”

It further alleges that others within Essig’s office who were responsible for overseeing transfers also became aware that some Detective Investigators lacking qualifications or experience were being recommended for transfer, or were even placed into Criminal Task Force Division units, despite previously being deemed unfit for such roles.

The lawsuit also claims that Essig confronted Caban at the time, expressing concern about the questionable transfers, allegedly telling him, “We can’t be doing this.”

According to the suit, Caban replied, “Do you have a problem with this?” Essig says he interpreted the remark as a warning from a superior, and felt unable to challenge him further.

While the lawsuit includes serious allegations, none of the claims have been substantiated in court.