Ex-NYC Probation Investigator Sues Over Retaliatory Firing

Ebony Huntley, the former chief investigator for the New York City Department of Probation, filed a lawsuit on April 9, 2026, in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleging she was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for reporting an anonymous complaint about a prior intimate relationship between agency Commissioner Sharun Goodwin and General Counsel Wayne McKenzie. The suit names the department, Goodwin and McKenzie as defendants and seeks reinstatement, back pay of approximately $200,000, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney fees.

Huntley, who earned about $170,000 annually in her role, claims she received the anonymous staff complaint on March 25. It described a workplace environment marked by unease, with employees feeling discouraged from speaking openly and fearing retaliation or favoritism. The complaint specifically alleged that Goodwin's past relationship with McKenzie, hired after her appointment, created a conflict of interest that could impair impartial decision-making. It also raised concerns about unprofessional conduct by Chief of Staff Zenia Melendez, including a history of verbal and physical aggression toward staff, as well as issues with the human resources...