Legal Challenges Mount Against Department of Probation Leadership

The New York City Department of Probation (DOP) is facing renewed legal pressure as two former information technology employees have filed Article 78 petitions in Manhattan Supreme Court. The petitioners, Jenette Cummings and Demmi Slaughter, are seeking reinstatement and back pay, alleging that their departures were improperly handled following the appointment of Commissioner Sharun Goodwin earlier this year.

Cummings, who served as an IT project specialist, claims she was dismissed in March after a two-month tenure without receiving a performance evaluation or a clear explanation for her termination. According to her filing, she experienced a loss of access to essential agency systems shortly after the new administration took office, leaving her without assigned tasks. Following her dismissal, the department advertised for positions with titles identical to the one she previously held.

Slaughter, who acted as the second-in-command of the agency’s IT unit, alleges that her access to department systems was revoked without notice in January. Her petition states that she attempted to withdraw a resignation submitted in February, but the department proceeded with her separation, citing that her position had been filled. Slaughter’s attorney, John Scola, noted that while personnel turnover is common during administrative transitions, the legality of these specific actions remains a point of contention.

A spokesperson for the Department of Probation stated that the agency is dedicated to maintaining integrity and professionalism, adding that the city will review the petitions once they are formally served.

These cases coincide with a pending whistleblower-retaliation lawsuit filed by Ebony Huntley, the department’s former chief investigator. Huntley alleges she was terminated after escalating an anonymous complaint to the Department of Investigation regarding potential conflicts of interest and favoritism within the agency’s leadership. While Mayor Zohran Mamdani has previously stated that the city takes such allegations seriously, the Department of Investigation has not provided updates on the status of any ongoing inquiries.

The legal challenges highlight growing tension within the agency as it navigates the transition under the Mamdani administration. The allegations regarding internal management and hiring practices remain unproven in court.