Lieutenant Quathisha Epps, a 51-year-old NYPD officer, has lodged a formal complaint accusing Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey of sexual harassment and coercion. Epps alleges that Maddrey, the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the NYPD, leveraged her financial vulnerabilities and history as a survivor of incest to exploit her for sexual favors. These alleged incidents began in June 2023, coinciding with Maddrey’s promotion to Chief of Department and Epps’s disclosure to him about her impending foreclosure. Epps claims Maddrey offered her unlimited overtime opportunities in exchange for sexual acts, including anal, vaginal, and oral sex. She further alleges he frequently requested her to perform oral sex and made sexually suggestive remarks. The complaint describes a pattern of manipulative behavior where Maddrey would allegedly use phrases like “We’re going to save your house,” while simultaneously exploiting her for sexual gratification. Epps asserts that she felt pressured to comply with his demands due to her financial predicament and fear of repercussions.
Epps’s complaint details numerous instances of alleged sexual misconduct by Maddrey within his office at Police Headquarters. She recounts one specific incident where Maddrey allegedly bent her over a sofa in his office and proceeded to have intercourse with her despite her repeated pleas for him to stop. Epps alleges that Maddrey retrieved a jar of lubricant from a locker in his office before the encounter. She describes feeling powerless and unable to resist his advances. The complaint further alleges that Maddrey used coded language, such as “DAP” (slang for “Dat ain’t p—y”), to signal his desire for anal sex. Epps claims Maddrey would regularly enter her office and request her to perform oral sex, referring to his penis as “it.” He would also allegedly command her to strip for him. These alleged incidents occurred over a period of several months, leaving Epps feeling traumatized and exploited.
Beyond the alleged sexual harassment, Epps’s complaint outlines a series of bizarre requests and demands made by Maddrey. She claims he instructed her to pay for a vacation for him and his wife to Miami, providing specific instructions on how to present the payment as a gift. Additionally, Epps alleges that Maddrey requested her to transfer her family’s Lower East Side apartment, which was in her children’s names, to a detective who worked for him. These alleged demands further highlight the power dynamic between Epps and Maddrey, and suggest a pattern of manipulation and exploitation.
Epps’s complaint also includes allegations of Maddrey involving her in his personal affairs, specifically regarding other female officers. She claims Maddrey ordered her to keep two of his mistresses apart to prevent them from discovering each other’s existence. This allegation underscores the extent to which Maddrey allegedly used his position of authority to control and manipulate Epps, forcing her to participate in his personal life in inappropriate ways.
The complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) serves as a precursor to a potential lawsuit. Epps’s decision to come forward follows a recent news report detailing her exceptionally high earnings of $400,000, which included substantial overtime pay. Epps claims that the final alleged sexual encounter with Maddrey occurred shortly after this report, when she expressed her desire to retire. Maddrey allegedly promised to speak to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on her behalf, but only after she performed oral sex on him. Feeling coerced, Epps complied, subsequently filing for retirement. Shortly thereafter, the NYPD suspended Epps and initiated an investigation into her conduct.
Maddrey, through his attorney Lambros Lambrou, vehemently denies all of Epps’s allegations. Lambrou characterizes Epps’s accusations as a convenient attempt to deflect attention from her own alleged wrongdoing regarding excessive overtime. He argues that Epps is “drowning” and trying to “take down as many people as she can.” Lambrou dismisses the complaint as entirely meritless and denies every aspect of it. The contrasting narratives presented by Epps and Maddrey create a complex and contested situation, with serious implications for both individuals and the NYPD. The EEOC investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings will play a crucial role in determining the veracity of these claims.
