WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City NYC the city THE CITY News Journal Update - The police scandal buried in hours of video

 

View this email in your browser

Dear Reader, You already know that THE CITY revealed that NYPD’s top uniformed officer, Jeffrey Maddrey, intervened in the case of a retired cop who was arrested for allegedly menacing three youths with a gun. The Civilian Complaint Review Board later found that Maddrey abused his authority. And our story may have been a factor in the resignation of former police commissioner Keechant Sewell, who disagreed with Mayor Eric Adams about whether to discipline Maddrey. That’s the story from the headlines. But today I’m taking you behind the scenes. Support our investigative journalism How did we find out about Maddrey’s wrongdoing? By combing through hours and hours of video. For months my colleagues and I painstakingly went through 36 videos culled from police body-worn cameras, and neighborhood and precinct house surveillance cameras. And how did we get that video? Here’s the behind-the-scenes secret: paperwork. That’s right. Behind many of our most exciting investigations is a whole lot of paperwork – specifically, FOIL requests. FOIL, or Freedom of Information Law, requires public agencies to hand over certain public records upon request. As journalists, we rely on FOIL as a tool to force city bureaucrats to provide information crucial to our investigations. And when an agency refuses to provide the requested information? We sue for it.  All this requires expertise, persistence, hard work… and money. That’s why I’m asking for your support today. Your donation will go towards FOIL fees, reporters’ time, and other expenses crucial to the investigative reporting that New Yorkers need. Donate today! Sincerely, Yoav Gonen Senior Reporter, THE CITY Your donation to THE CITY is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Prefer to mail a check? See our mailing address below. If you would like to support THE CITY from your donor advised fund, please direct your gift to City Report, Inc. Our tax identification number is 37-1896785.

THE CITY's work is made possible, in part, through the support of our sponsors. Interested in becoming a sponsor of THE CITY? Contact us here.  Copyright © 2023 THE CITY, All rights reserved.