Mamdani Ends City Backing For Tim Pearson's Legal Bills

"Corporation Counsel nominee Steve Banks informed city leaders that the city will no longer pay for Pearson's legal defense, and that the same withdrawal of indemnification applies to Jeffrey Maddrey, as reported by New York Daily News. That reporting says Banks also indicated other defendants named in the suits would continue to receive Law Department representation."

"The city had initially relied on outside counsel after the Law Department concluded it could not represent Pearson because it was already representing one of his accusers, a conflict that required the agency to hire private lawyers in the cases. Municipal rules allow the Law Department to decline indemnification when allegations fall outside an employee's official duties or violate agency rules."

"Public records reviewed by reporters show the private firm Wilson Elser had been retained to defend Pearson and had been paid roughly $622,931 to represent him alone as of early January, according to earlier reporting based on city invoices. That taxpayer-funded coverage came amid discovery disputes, including allegations that Pearson's team withheld texts."

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration has terminated taxpayer-funded legal defense for Tim Pearson, a former City Hall public safety adviser, and Jeffrey Maddrey, former NYPD Chief of Department, both defendants in sexual harassment and retaliation suits filed by current and former NYPD employees. Corporation Counsel nominee Steve Banks announced the decision to withdraw indemnification while continuing Law Department representation for other defendants. The city initially hired private counsel after the Law Department identified a conflict of interest—it was already representing one of Pearson's accusers. Municipal rules permit the Law Department to decline indemnification when allegations fall outside official duties or violate agency rules. The private firm Wilson Elser had been paid approximately $622,931 to defend Pearson alone through early January.

Read at Hoodline