The former right-hand man of the disgraced ex-NYPD chief of department Jeffrey Maddrey was terminated from his position after being implicated in the same scandal involving exchanging sex for overtime pay that led to his boss’s downfall, according to police sources cited by The Post on Thursday.
Deputy Chief Paul Saraceno was forced out earlier this month for allegedly approving numerous outdated overtime slips for then-Lieutenant Quathisha Epps, who was reportedly engaged in a quid-pro-quo arrangement with Maddrey involving sexual favors, as per a law enforcement insider.
Epps, who was the highest earner of overtime in the department with $403,515 in earnings last year, left the NYPD after accusing Maddrey of coercing her into a sexual relationship, a revelation first brought to light by The Post.
Maddrey resigned shortly after being confronted with Epps’ allegations, including claims of engaging in sexual acts with her at NYPD headquarters.
According to the source, Saraceno reportedly collected a large number of overtime slips from Epps in November from earlier in 2024 and backdated over 170 of them.
Despite being aware of an ongoing investigation into Epps’ excessive overtime pay, Saraceno allegedly approved the slips.
An internal police document obtained by The Post revealed that Saraceno submitted his retirement papers to the pension board on Thursday.
He availed of a state provision established in 2011 that permits NYPD members with over 20 years of service to retire if dismissed from their position.
Saraceno, initially demoted following the allegations, will retain his pension but will not receive a favorable departure letter or be allowed to keep his firearm, as per another police source.
Attempts to reach Saraceno for comment were unsuccessful.
The NYPD confirmed his termination this month as Commissioner Jessica Tisch endeavors to combat corruption within the troubled agency.
As part of this effort, the Internal Affairs Bureau and other units were restructured following the exposure of the alleged sex-for-overtime arrangement.
Maddrey insisted that his relationship with Epps was consensual and denied any misconduct. Sources had previously disclosed that Epps retired in January.
Both federal prosecutors and the NYPD have initiated probes into the allegations.
Chris Monahan, President of the NYPD’s Captains Endowment Association, told The Post that Saraceno was under Maddrey’s direct supervision and was in a difficult position.
In 2022, Saraceno faced disciplinary action under then-NYPD chief Keechant Sewell after an internal affairs investigation revealed misuse of department time and falsification of timesheets, according to a police source.
