The ongoing federal investigation into a sex-for-overtime scandal within the New York Police Department (NYPD) has widened its scope to include two women closely associated with the disgraced former Chief of Department, Jeffrey Maddrey. Detectives Ingrid Sanders, Maddrey’s former driver, and Ada Reyes, another officer who worked under Maddrey, have become subjects of the federal probe, with their homes being raided by investigators and grand jury subpoenas issued. While not currently considered targets or facing charges, their involvement underscores the deepening complexity and potential systemic nature of the alleged misconduct. The investigation, led by the US Department of Justice’s Southern District of New York, is primarily focused on determining whether federal funds were misused to pay for fraudulently obtained overtime.
The scandal erupted following a December 2024 exposé by The Post, detailing allegations made by Lieutenant Quathisha Epps, the NYPD’s top overtime earner, against Maddrey. Epps accused Maddrey of coercing her into performing unwanted sexual favors in exchange for overtime, spanning from June 2023 to December 2024. Epps, who earned over $400,000 in 2024, with roughly half coming from overtime, provided graphic details of the alleged abuse, describing Maddrey as a “predator.” Maddrey, a close associate of Mayor Adams, has consistently denied these allegations through his attorney, claiming their relationship was consensual. The stark contrast between their accounts lies at the heart of the investigation, which seeks to uncover the truth behind the alleged coercion and misuse of public funds.
Epps alleges that Maddrey exploited her financial vulnerabilities and past trauma as a victim of incest to manipulate her. She worked under Maddrey as he ascended through the NYPD ranks, from Chief of Housing to Chief of Patrol and finally Chief of Department. This sustained professional relationship underpins Epps’s claims of a pattern of abuse facilitated by Maddrey’s authority. The emergence of Sanders and Reyes as subjects of the investigation raises questions about the extent to which Maddrey’s alleged misconduct may have influenced or impacted those around him, and whether they were involved in, or aware of, any improprieties related to overtime allocation.
The financial records of both Sanders and Reyes have come under scrutiny. Sanders, a veteran officer who joined the force in 1993, earned a substantial $163,414 in overtime pay in 2024, resigning shortly after The Post’s initial exposé. Reyes, whose earnings significantly increased from $42,500 in 2019 to $154,405 in 2024, including $55,923 in overtime, was transferred to public housing following the revelations. These dramatic increases in overtime pay, particularly in light of the allegations against Maddrey, have raised red flags for investigators, suggesting the possibility of a broader pattern of overtime abuse beyond the initial allegations made by Epps.
The investigation into Maddrey, Sanders, and Reyes has cast a long shadow over the NYPD, raising concerns about leadership, accountability, and the potential for systemic corruption. Sources within law enforcement have pointedly attributed the unfolding scandal to a failure of leadership emanating from “the top of the department on down,” even suggesting influence from City Hall. This underscores the potentially widespread nature of the problem and the need for a thorough investigation to restore public trust in the police department. The investigation’s findings could have far-reaching consequences, potentially implicating others within the NYPD’s hierarchy and prompting further reforms within the department.
The fallout from the scandal has already led to significant changes within the NYPD. Following the allegations, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch initiated a sweeping purge of dozens of high-ranking officers, including those within the Internal Affairs Bureau, signaling a commitment to address the potential for systemic misconduct. While Sanders and Reyes have retained legal counsel and remain subjects of the investigation, the focus remains on uncovering the full extent of the alleged sex-for-overtime scheme and holding those responsible accountable. The investigation is poised to shed light on a potentially deeply rooted problem within the NYPD, with significant implications for the department’s future and public confidence in its integrity.
