A former NYPD supervisory sergeant who worked in the department’s photography unit in Lower Manhattan is now facing felony charges, with prosecutors accusing her of secretly inflating her compensation by more than $132,000 in unearned pay. The indictment identifies Rayna Rampaul, who previously used the surname Madho, and claims she profited by claiming overtime and regular tours she never completed. She was charged Monday in Manhattan, pled not guilty, and was released on her own recognizance.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has charged Rampaul with one case of second-degree grand theft and four charges of first-degree fabricating business records, according to the New York Daily News. Prosecutors claim that between September 30, 2022 and November 21, 2024, she reported around 1,680 tours and overtime hours for which she did not perform, resulting in approximately $132,366.85 in fraudulent remuneration.
“City employees who fraudulently drain the City’s coffers will be held accountable,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told reporters, according to the account, framing the case as part of a larger crackdown on payroll misuse.
Rampaul has previously been involved in civil lawsuit related to a 2015 police stop that sparked controversy after smartphone video and depositions revealed an officer placed a pill bottle in a suspect’s car. Contemporaneous reporting recounted the episode and the resulting federal civil claims. Gothamist reported the video and the subsequent lawsuits, which are still part of the public record and are being reviewed by reporters in light of the latest indictment. Those previous lawsuits and allegations are expected to reemerge as both parties prepare for pretrial procedures.
According to city payroll documents analyzed in the report, Rampaul earned approximately $201,625 in 2024, which includes base pay, overtime, and other compensation, with a basic salary of around $135,511 in fiscal 2025. Prosecutors claim that the contested time entries alone amounted to approximately $132,366.85 in unearned pay. The government fired Rampaul in January 2026 after an internal and prosecutorial inquiry, according to the article.
Overtime has long been a sore area in the NYPD budget, frequently exceeding forecasts and prompting warnings from watchdogs. Auditors and elected officials have called for stronger monitoring following years of multibillion-dollar overtime totals. A recent report by the NYC Comptroller advised structural reforms targeted at reducing costly overtime and improving record-keeping, the same measures that prosecutors point to when alleged payroll fraud is discovered. Budget hearings before the City Council have also focused on how the department manages overtime pay while preparing for a busy summer schedule of parades, protests, and high-profile events.
According to the indictment, Rampaul faces felony charges under state law. Grand larceny in the second degree is a class C felony under New York Penal Law §155.40, according to the State Senate. Falsifying business records in the first degree is a class E felony under New York Penal Law §175.10, as outlined by the New York State Senate.
Court calendars and filings at Manhattan Supreme Court can be tracked using the state’s online case portal, WebCrims, which also includes a general criminal calendar and case-search capabilities. The case is expected to go through pretrial motions and other court appearances in the coming months, as prosecutors advance the fraud claims and the defense disputes the city’s payroll and timekeeping records.
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