{"id":2589481,"date":"2026-04-10T20:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T00:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/scandal-hits-mamdani-administration-nyc-employee-says-she-was-fired-for-blowing-the-whistle\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T20:17:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T00:17:53","slug":"scandal-hits-mamdani-administration-nyc-employee-says-she-was-fired-for-blowing-the-whistle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/scandal-hits-mamdani-administration-nyc-employee-says-she-was-fired-for-blowing-the-whistle\/","title":{"rendered":"Scandal Hits Mamdani Administration &#8211; NYC Employee Says She Was Fired for Blowing the Whistle"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fscandal-hits-mamdani-administration-nyc-employee-says-she-was-fired-for-blowing-the-whistle%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2589481&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces his first potential political scandal within his first 100 days in office. A lawsuit filed by Ebony Huntley, a former investigator for the Department of Probation, claims she was fired after whistleblowing about an intimate relationship between Probation Commissioner Sharun Goodwin and the agency\u2019s general counsel, Wayne McKenzie. Huntley contends the relationship could present a conflict of interest and affect impartial decision\u2011making, and notes the issue may have existed before McKenzie\u2019s hire. The suit also cites other complaints, including allegations that HR director Zenia Melendez engaged in verbal and physical violence toward staff, describing a troubling workplace environment. Huntley says she did what she was supposed to do and seeks unspecified damages; the New York Post reports she previously earned about $170,000 a year. Mamdani acknowledged the allegations and said he takes misconduct seriously and that an investigation is underway, declining to comment on ongoing probes. Politico has reported that Goodwin was named to head the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >department amid earlier criticisms<\/a> of mismanagement by a previous administration.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>One day shy of his first 100 days in office, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was hit with his first potential political scandal.<\/p>\n<p>A lawsuit filed by a subordinate of a woman Mamdani appointed to run the city&rsquo;s department of probation &mdash; and clean up ethical messes from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-trump-doubles-down-on-the-one-thing-bidens-much-better-at-than-him\/\" title=\"Watch: Trump Doubles Down on the One Thing Biden\u2019s \u2018Much Better At\u2019 Than Him\">previous administration &#038;mdash<\/a>; claims she was fired for blowing the whistle on an &ldquo;intimate relationship&rdquo; between her boss and the agency&rsquo;s top attorney, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/04\/10\/nyc-government-employee-fired-after-blowing-whistle-on-mamdani-administration-officials-romantic-relationship-lawsuit-alleges-00866619?utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_source=dlvr.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Politico<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And Mamdani himself is already facing public questions about it.<\/p>\n<p>The lawsuit was filed Thursday by now-former city Department of Probation chief investigator Ebony Huntley.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/news\/crime\/nyc-probation-staffer-was-sacked-for-blowing-whistle-on-alleged-tryst-between-mamdani-appointee-and-top-aide-suit\/ar-AA20Bt2f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Post<\/a>, Huntley claimed that the Department of Probation Commissioner Sharun Goodwin was engaged in a personal relationship with Wayne McKenzie, the agency&rsquo;s general counsel.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"anyclipvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadAnyclip() { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst container=document.getElementById(\"anyclipvideo\"); 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\t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">NYC probation staffer was sacked for blowing whistle on alleged tryst between Mamdani appointee and top aide: suit <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sbXvxYWljk\">https:\/\/t.co\/sbXvxYWljk<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SBblQEwKTZ\">pic.twitter.com\/SBblQEwKTZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; New York Post (@nypost) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nypost\/status\/2042652135670665291?\">April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>According to Politico, Huntley learned of the relationship from an anonymous complaint.<\/p>\n<p>The complaint, received in late March, said that the relationship &ldquo;may present a conflict of interest and impact impartial decision-making,&rdquo; according to Politico. The alleged relationship was in place before McKenzie was hired as general counsel, according to the New York Post.<\/p>\n<p>The allegation was accompanied by other complaints, such as accusing the agency&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/amid-financial-chaos-stacey-abramss-nonprofit-flouts-federal-law\/\" title=\"Amid Financial Chaos, Stacey Abrams\u2019s Nonprofit Flouts Federal Law\">human resource director<\/a>, Zenia Melendez, of engaging in &ldquo;verbal and physical violence&rdquo; targeting staff members.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Collectively, these concerns have created a workplace environment where employees feel uneasy, discouraged from speaking openly, and uncertain about their job security,&rdquo; the complaint said, according to Politico.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Many employees simply want to perform their duties in a professional setting without fear of retaliation or favoritism. If the goal is to move the Department of Probation forward, there is a strong need for leadership that reflects professionalism, objectivity and accountability.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>After she forwarded the complaint to the city&rsquo;s Department of Investigation, Huntley apparently discussed the matter with an attorney in her own department. The attorney said he was going to inform McKenzie about the complaint, over Huntley&rsquo;s objections.<\/p>\n<p>The next day, according to Politico, Huntley was called into a meeting McKenzie organized. There, McKenzie said he could not trust her and that she was being fired, according to Politico.<\/p>\n<p>Huntley maintains she was only doing her job.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I did what I was supposed to do,&rdquo; she told Politico. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t do anything wrong and I definitely shouldn&rsquo;t have been fired.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>She is asking for unspecified monetary damages, according to Politico. However, the New York Post reported that Huntley maintains the firing cost her $170,000-a-year salary for the city.<\/p>\n<p>Mamdani himself was questioned about the case at an unrelated news conference on Friday, the day that marked his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epochconverter.com\/days\/2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">100th in office<\/a> since his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/mamdani-gives-fans-taste-voted-inaugural-block-party-shows-socialism-really\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jan. 1 inauguration<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I take any allegations of misconduct incredibly seriously,&rdquo; Mamdani said, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/2026\/04\/10\/nyc-probing-accusation-probation-commissioner-had-inappropriate-relationship-with-subordinate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Daily News<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to be weighing in on any ongoing investigation. However, New Yorkers should rest assured that there is an investigation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/new-york-playbook-pm\/2026\/01\/27\/mamdani-office-to-combat-antisemitism-elad-nehorai-wisdom-00750240\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Politico<\/a> report from January, Goodwin was named to head the Department of Probation amid accusations that the previous commissioner &mdash; an appointee of now-former Mayor Eric Adams &mdash; mismanaged the department and used it as a source of jobs for her family and friends.<\/p>\n<p>At the time, Mamdani said he had appointed Goodwin to the post because of her commitment to &ldquo;fairness,&rdquo; along with &ldquo;efficiency and excellence.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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A lawsuit filed by Ebony Huntley, a former investigator for the Department of Probation, claims that probation Commissioner Sharun Goodwin had a personal relationship with the agency\u2019s general counsel, Wayne McKenzie, and that Huntley was fired for blowing the whistle on it. Politico reports the suit says the relationship could create a conflict of interest and affect impartial decision-making, and that the alleged affair existed before McKenzie was hired. The complaint also cites other issues, including allegations that the agency\u2019s HR director, Zenia Melendez, engaged in verbal and physical violence toward staff, creating a hostile workplace and fear of retaliation. After Huntley forwarded the complaint to the Department of Investigation, she reportedly discussed it with an in-house attorney, who planned to inform McKenzie about the complaint over Huntley\u2019s objections. The next day, McKenzie allegedly fired Huntley, a claim Huntley denies, saying she did her job and should not have been fired; she is seeking unspecified damages, with the New York Post noting she says the firing cost her roughly $170,000 a year. Mamdani addressed the matter at a Friday news conference on his 100th day in office, saying he takes misconduct seriously and that there is an ongoing investigation. Politico also reported that Goodwin was appointed to head the Department of Probation amid prior accusations that the previous commissioner-an appointee of former Mayor Eric Adams-mismanaged the department and used it for nepotism; Mamdani defended the appointment, emphasizing fairness, efficiency, and accountability<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2589482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-04-10T172517.786.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4274,56552,7332,4633,14057],"class_list":["post-2589481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-firing","tag-mamdani","tag-nyc","tag-scandal","tag-whistleblower"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-04-10T172517.786.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2589481"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589481\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2589485,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2589481\/revisions\/2589485"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2589482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2589481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2589481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2589481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}