New York City, New York – May 19, 2011 : The crest on the jacket of a New York City Police Officer while on patrol.
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A Manhattan NYPD sergeant was indicted on Tuesday for allegedly stealing more than $132,000 in pay for overtime she never worked, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Former Sergeant Rayna Rampaul, also known as Rayna Madho, appeared in New York Supreme Court on June 8 before Judge Althea Drysdale, on an indictment with one count of second-degree grand larceny and four counts of first-degree falsifying business records.
Rampaul, a 20-year veteran of the department who had worked in the NYPD Photo Unit, stands accused of grossly overestimating the number of hours she had spent on duty over several years.
According to court documents, between Sept. 30, 2022, and Nov. 21, 2024, Rampaul claimed to have worked approximately 1,680 hours on standard and overtime tours she did not actually attend.
Rampaul allegedly submitted payroll records and overtime slips for hours she never worked, resulting in $132,366.85 in unearned pay, prosecutors said.
“As alleged, Rayna Rampaul stole approximately $132,000 in pay from the NYPD while she worked as a sergeant, a leadership position,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “City employees who fraudulently drain the City’s coffers will be held accountable.”
The crime is not bail eligible and Rampaul was released on her own recognizance following arraignment on Monday. She is expected to be back in court on Sept. 8 for decisions on motions.
amNewYork reached out to the NYPD for comment and is awaiting a response.
Overtime has been a regular issue for the NYPD as it grapples with a staffing crisis in recent years and additional mandates for coverage. At a March City Council hearing, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told lawmakers that the department’s overtime budget was projected to be $1.028 billion for the current fiscal year, though she indicated it marked a reduction from previous years.
Tisch indicated the problem with overtime in the NYPD budget was not so much force size but rather management discipline.
With reporting by Adam Daly
