Overview
- U.S. District Judge Denise Cote threw out all of Thomas Donlon’s claims, ruling the complaint failed to allege a common unlawful purpose required to plead a RICO enterprise.
- The City Law Department said it was pleased the court found no legal basis for the case to proceed.
- Donlon’s attorney, John Scola, has filed an appeal and says he is confident the Second Circuit will allow the claims to move forward, with a decision unlikely before late this year.
- The dismissed suit had alleged systemic corruption by Eric Adams and senior NYPD officials, including inflated overtime, blocked internal probes, misuse of Donlon’s stamp to approve promotions, threats by a top aide, and a leaked arrest of Donlon’s wife.
- The ruling arrives as other former NYPD officials pursue similar civil complaints and federal prosecutors press separate bribery cases involving ex-police leaders from the Adams administration.