Four high-ranking former New York City police officials are accusing Mayor Eric Adams and his top deputies of doling out promotions to unqualified allies as part of a scheme that also involved alleged cash bribes paid to the ex-police commissioner.

A group of former top New York City Police Department officials filed a series of four lawsuits claiming the force is led by cronyism, corruption, and retaliation. The suits were brought by former Chief of Detectives James Essig,

The four ex-chiefs — James Essig, Matthew Pontillo, Joseph Veneziano and Christopher McCormack — all retired in the second half of 2023 as part of a department shakeup.