Frustration is mounting among commuters who are being hit with significant congestion tolls, while NYPD officials reportedly evade these expenses by using department vehicles for their daily commutes, as revealed in a whistleblower lawsuit.
According to court documents, the NYPD claims that many of its officers are engaging in fraudulent activities.
In a case filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Lt. Gov. Joseph Abdelmeshi mentioned nine police chiefs who allegedly utilize NYPD cars for personal use, sidestepping the congestion charges that regular New Yorkers face.
The case’s highest-ranking officer mentioned is Captain Jackelyn Bodden, who received her promotion in August 2024.
Abdelmeshi himself was previously spotlighted in a February report for his questionable commuting practices, including parking his personal Mercedes at home and using a police car during work hours, which led to about $20,000 in avoided tolls.
After being reported, he was instructed to cease this behavior and was questioned by the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau. Subsequently, he faced charges for improper use of a department vehicle and time fraud, resulting in his transfer to Brooklyn.
In his lawsuit, Abdelmeshi claims that other officers, whom he identifies, regularly pick up their department vehicles near their homes for work and have not faced similar scrutiny.
Police officials noted that these officers could use their vehicles without paying for tolls or gas, further straining taxpayer resources, as they can use lights and sirens to bypass traffic.
Abdelmeshi asserts that he received permission from Deputy Chief Richie Taylor to use an NYPD vehicle for his supervisory duties over the clergy.
According to the lawsuit, the supervisors mentioned utilize a police facility to leave their personal vehicles and then use department cars for their commutes during their shifts.
This practice enables them to evade tolls, enjoy free gas and parking, and utilize emergency lights and sirens to expedite their travel, which has angered officials in law enforcement.
“They are the bosses and have been getting away with this for a long time,” a source stated.
Officials note that these individuals often make lengthy commutes, raising questions about how much productive work they are accomplishing during these times. One officer remarked, “What kind of work do you do on your commute? Taxpayers are funding this. It’s fraud.”
Lt. Anthony Miolan from the Chelsea 13th Precinct mentioned he commutes approximately 30 miles each way to his home in Merrick, Illinois, using a city vehicle.
Officer Jackelyn Bodden also uses an NYPD car for her 29-mile commute from Harlem to the NYPD Community Center, after which she was promoted to captain.
Abdelmeshi pointed out the seeming hypocrisy as Bodden, having committed similar infractions, is granted a captaincy while he faced penalties.
Other officers cited in the lawsuit include Lt. Cmdr. Shane Saunders, Gessner Charles, Daniel Schmelter, Sergeant Sesame James, and Detectives Tanya Duhaney and Tanesha Facey.
“Toll evasion puts a strain on all who pay taxes to maintain our infrastructure,” remarked Danny Perlstein from the Riders Alliance. “Fraud, whether through ghost plates or disregard for public trust, should not be tolerated in New York.”
Residents expressed their outrage over the situation. Brooklyn biomedical engineer Karen Guevara mentioned she regularly spends about $400 a week on tolls, gas, and parking for her commute to Manhattan, pointing out that police are using department cars improperly.
Crystal Hilton, a 38-year-old from New Jersey, shared concerns about the inequity of this arrangement, stating, “There are essential workers, like health care providers, who also bear these costs.”
The lawsuit seeks punitive damages alleging discrimination and names the city, Police Chief Jessica Tisch, and IAB Lt. Dawit Fikru among the defendants.
Another police official claimed that the majority of officers typically use their personal vehicles for travel to work.
“People should be accountable for their commute costs,” stated Carlton Cope, a hospital clerk. “Both police and civilian workers are taxpayers.”
He added, “I’m sure some are misusing this, but I believe most officers act with integrity.”
No comments have been issued by the NYPD in response to these allegations.
