NYC Officials Granted Significant Disability Pensions

Mark Stewart, who recently left his position as the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner for Community Affairs, has secured a notable disability pension—similar to the benefits received by retired Chief John Chell, according to reports.

Stewart originally retired as a detective in 2004 but rejoined the department in February 2022 under the Adams administration. He stepped down again on October 8, being approved for a nearly tax-free accident and disability pension amounting to $18,241.16 monthly, or about $218,894 annually. The city confirmed this on November 3. Interestingly, Stewart’s salary for the 2025 fiscal year was $275,577.

Three pension lawyers expressed to The News that it’s quite rare for private citizens to benefit so significantly from the pension fund. Notably, a public records request for data on pension approvals was still pending when this was reported.

“This is pretty unusual,” remarked attorney Jeffrey Goldberg, who has extensive experience with police pension cases.

Likewise, Mr. Chell’s pension journey was somewhat atypical. He retired on the same date, receiving a pension valued at $295,919.64 annually, citing an ankle injury from a migrant operation in July 2024 as the basis for his claims.

“The system is the system,” Chell commented in an interview with The News on October 24.

However, legal experts pointed out that a standard patrol officer with similar injuries as Chell might face initial rejections and years of legal battles—an experience largely veiled from public scrutiny.

“Pension boards often contest these types of injury claims quite frequently,” Goldberg noted.

Meanwhile, former NYC police chief and current probation commissioner Juanita Holmes has also applied for similar disability benefits, as stated by three city officials. She resigned on October 30, effective November 28, per NYPD records.

This past weekend, Holmes was reportedly advocating for her reappointment with aides to Mayor-elect Mandani. Nevertheless, her representative did not comment on inquiries from Daily News.

It’s not clear what exactly justified her application for disability benefits, though generally, these are tied to work-related conditions hindering job performance.

Connections with Mayor Adams

All three individuals are known allies of Mayor Adams. Stewart and Holmes share a long-standing professional relationship with him. While representatives for Adams remained silent on whether the mayor influenced any decisions, it’s worth noting he holds three votes on the pension committee.

Pension lawyers indicated that both Stewart and Chell seem to have received their disability pensions considerably faster than the lengthy processes typically experienced by ordinary police officers.

“There’s absolutely no justification for them to receive three-quarters of a pension when many injured officers struggle for the same recognition,” said Tim McEnany, another lawyer focused on police and fire pension cases.

Stewart’s career trajectory is also notable; he served as a transit officer from 1984 to 1988, then transitioned through various NYPD roles after the departments merged. He was once a driver for Chief Phillip Banks and later became deputy mayor under Adams.

After retiring from the NYPD as a second-class detective in 2004, he began working at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in 2006 and left in February 2022. Shortly thereafter, he returned to the NYPD and was appointed to lead the Department of Community Affairs.

On October 8, he retired again with a disability pension, though the specifics behind this decision remain unclear, as he declined to comment, and officials from the NYPD and the pension fund also refrained from elaborating.

McEnany raised questions about the propriety of offering such significant benefits to high-ranking officials, particularly given the challenges everyday officers encounter. Court records indicate that police frequently file lawsuits against pension funds—about five monthly—for denied disability claims.

These legal challenges often stem from issues related to 9/11, heart disease, or injuries incurred in the line of duty.

“Many wait six months for a medical board certification, then navigate years of bureaucratic red tape and litigation, only to face another trial,” added McEnany.

A source from a police union, who wished to remain anonymous, insisted that a variety of officers receive disability benefits promptly when justified.

“We understand the optics, but the approval volume is significant,” the official said.

On November 12, the pension board also sanctioned accident disability pensions for 38 police officers, including Deputy John Walsh. However, McEnany pointed out that rejections far exceed approvals.

“Even with the approvals, it shows how few applications get through amid a sea of denials,” he said, noting that denied applicants often undergo considerable scrutiny before approval.

Litigation Over Disability Claims

Take the case of Dennis O’Brien, who joined the NYPD in 2007 and faced multiple injuries over the years. He experienced a fall from a police vehicle in 2013, back injuries while responding to calls in 2014 and 2015, and was fully off duty for six months. However, in 2019, the Medical Board rejected his disability claim.

The commission concluded he was permanently disabled yet denied him a higher pension due to insufficient evidence relating to his injuries. Despite a subsequent review in 2020 resulting in another rejection, the pension committee eventually presented a tie proposal in April 2023, leading to further litigation.

His case is now expansive, with a judge recently ordering a return to the Medical Board for another look. Another two years have passed, and the lawsuit remains unresolved.

Founded in 1940, the Police Pension Fund is overseen by a medical commission and a board including the mayor, NYPD officials, the city’s finance department, the comptroller, and representatives from various police unions.

Kevin Holloran, the executive director for the pension fund for over 15 years, has yet to respond to inquiries about these cases. Appointed by former Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, he previously held a position in the NYPD’s Medical Division.

The NYPD has called for an investigation into the pension fund, while Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams, stressed that disability applications and relevant medical information are safeguarded under multiple levels of law.

“Are you suggesting that individuals with disabilities can’t serve or lead?” she said, referring to Holmes.