New York, NY – A veteran investigator with New York City’s Department of Probation has filed a lawsuit alleging she was abruptly fired after reporting misconduct concerns involving senior agency officials — claims first highlighted in a report by the New York Post.
According to court filings, Ebony Huntley, a retired NYPD lieutenant who served as a chief investigator within the department, alleges she was terminated just one day after escalating complaints to the city’s Department of Investigation (DOI). The concerns centered on the leadership of Probation Commissioner Sharun Goodwin, who was appointed earlier this year by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Whistleblower Claims and Allegations
In her lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Huntley claims she acted in accordance with her legal responsibilities after receiving an anonymous letter from staff members raising concerns about agency leadership. Among the allegations included in the letter was a claim that Commissioner Goodwin had a prior personal relationship with the department’s general counsel, Wayne McKenzie, who had been brought back into the agency following Goodwin’s appointment.
Huntley asserts that she forwarded the information to DOI to ensure the matter was reviewed independently.
Sudden Termination
The lawsuit states that within 24 hours of making the report, Huntley was called into a virtual meeting with McKenzie, during which the anonymous complaint was allegedly referenced directly. According to the filing, McKenzie acknowledged being named in the complaint and informed Huntley that her employment would be terminated.
Huntley claims she was dismissed from her role — a position that reportedly paid approximately $170,000 annually — without due process and in retaliation for reporting the concerns.
City Response
Mayor Mamdani confirmed that an investigation is underway but declined to comment on the specifics of the case.
“I take any allegations of misconduct incredibly seriously,” the mayor said during a press briefing, reiterating that the administration would allow the investigative process to proceed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Probation echoed that sentiment, noting that the agency is cooperating with any ongoing inquiries.
Legal Action and Demands
Huntley’s legal team argues that her termination violates whistleblower protections, emphasizing that employees should not face retaliation for forwarding complaints to oversight authorities. Her attorney, John Scola, stated that the city must take corrective action if the claims are substantiated.
In addition to seeking damages related to her dismissal, Huntley is also pursuing compensation for what she alleges are unpaid wages totaling roughly $200,000.
Broader Implications
The case raises broader concerns about workplace accountability and protections for employees within city agencies, particularly those tasked with investigative and oversight roles. It also places renewed scrutiny on leadership within the Department of Probation at a time when public trust and transparency remain critical.
As the investigation unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications not only for those directly involved but also for how whistleblower complaints are handled across New York City government.
By The Midtown Times Staff – April 17, 2026
