A whistleblower has accused NYPD Deputy Chiefs Maximo Tolentino and Victoria Perry of steering department funds to a Bronx restaurant owned by the brother of former Police Commissioner Edward Caban. The complaint alleges that the bosses directed the funds to be used for community parties at Con Sofrito, owned by Richard Caban, a retired NYPD lieutenant. They allegedly instructed officers to focus on events at Con Sofrito to make the former Commissioner Caban happy. The allegations were made not only to the city Department of Investigation but also to federal investigators.
The events at Con Sofrito took place between October 2022 and January 2023, costing between $5,000 and $8,000. One of the events mentioned in the complaint was ‘Winter Wonderland,’ where officers distributed toys to children. A police source stated that city resources were misused by Perry and Tolentino, with Perry recently being promoted to deputy chief and receiving a pay increase. Perry made $214,218 in 2023, while Tolentino made $233,000. Rumors circulated that Perry’s electronics were seized by investigators, although the NYPD denied this.
The NYPD’s public information office did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the DOI complaint. Both Perry and Tolentino did not respond to inquiries as well. Additionally, Caban’s twin brother, James Caban, is being investigated by federal authorities for his alleged involvement as a “fixer” for upscale restaurants and nightclubs in Manhattan. He reportedly helped to resolve issues between these establishments and the police. There are currently five investigations ongoing into Mayor Adams’s inner circle.
The whistleblower complaint alleges that Tolentino and Perry directed NYPD funds to Con Sofrito for community parties, with the goal of pleasing former Commissioner Edward Caban. These events took place over several months, with costs ranging from $5,000 to $8,000. One particular event mentioned was ‘Winter Wonderland,’ where officers distributed toys to children. The complaint claims that city resources were misused by Perry and Tolentino for these events, leading to concerns about their conduct.
Despite rumors that Perry’s electronics were seized by investigators, the NYPD denied this claim. The DOI has not responded to inquiries about the complaint, and Perry and Tolentino remain silent on the matter. Meanwhile, James Caban, the twin brother of Edward Caban, is under federal investigation for his alleged role as a “fixer” for restaurants and nightclubs in Manhattan. The investigations into Mayor Adams’s inner circle continue, with a total of five probes currently ongoing.
Overall, the whistleblower complaint raises serious allegations against Deputy Chiefs Tolentino and Perry, accusing them of steering NYPD funds to a specific restaurant to please former Police Commissioner Caban. The events held at Con Sofrito over several months reportedly cost thousands of dollars and involved the misuse of city resources. These claims have led to concerns about the conduct of Perry and Tolentino, with ongoing investigations by both city and federal authorities. The situation has also brought attention to James Caban’s alleged involvement as a “fixer” and the broader scrutiny into Mayor Adams’s inner circle.
