IRS joins probe into NYPD nightclub enforcement, commissioner's cell phone seized
Internal probe centers on police treatment of club-goers, treatment of staff; seizure of Sheehan's phone unprecedented
Internal affairs probe comes after NYPD inspector general report, civil rights complaints
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has joined the New York Police Department's (NYPD) ongoing internal investigation into the department's enforcement practices at nightclubs, two people familiar with the matter told THE CITY.
As part of the probe, which was initiated months ago, investigators seized the cell phone of NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, as well as the phones of other top NYPD officials, according to sources who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.
The IRS's involvement in the investigation is unusual, but not unprecedented. The agency has jurisdiction to investigate potential criminal tax violations, including the misuse of charitable funds. In this case, the IRS is examining whether any city funds were improperly used to target nightclubs.
The NYPD's internal probe was launched after the release of a report by the city's Department of Investigation (DOI) in July that found the NYPD had engaged in a pattern of discriminatory enforcement against nightclubs, particularly those owned by people of color.
The DOI report also found that the NYPD had failed to adequately investigate complaints of excessive force and other misconduct by officers at nightclubs. In one instance, the report found that an officer had used a stun gun on a man who was not resisting arrest.
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