For years, Howard Redmond was the head of Mayor de Blasio’s NYPD security detail, a prestigious post that, according to Manhattan prosecutors, led him to act as though he was untouchable.

When the city’s Department of Investigation began probing the unit in late 2019, Redmond was evasive. He refused to hand over his city-issued cellphones, and when he finally did, investigators found he had deleted text messages.

What You Need To Know

  • Howard Redmond, former head of Mayor de Blasio’s security detail, pleaded guilty to obstructing a probe by the city Department of Investigation

  • The DOI, which was investigating misuse of the security detail, found Redmond deleted data on his city-issued cell phones after initially refusing to hand them over

  • Under a plea deal, Redmond agreed to his termination from the NYPD, issued a formal apology in court and was sentenced to community service

  • De Blasio was recently ordered by the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board to pay $475,000 for improperly using his security detail while campaigning for president

That led to a criminal referral to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, and on Wednesday Redmond pleaded guilty to two counts, each of tampering with physical evidence, a felony; obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, a misdemeanor; and official misconduct, also a misdemeanor.

Redmond was not sentenced to prison time, but he was terminated last month from the NYPD, where he served for more than 30 years, rising to the rank of inspector. He must serve 10 days of community service, and in court Wednesday made a formal apology to the Department of Investigation for not taking their probe seriously and not providing them with information.

“Inspector Redmond engaged in a clear and brazen pattern of obstruction and tampering throughout the entirety of DOI's investigation,” Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg said in a statement. “Position and rank do not exempt anyone from cooperating and participating with a law enforcement investigation, and we will continue to hold accountable any public official who thinks the rules do not apply to them.”

As for de Blasio, he was previously found to have improperly used his security detail while campaigning for president in 2019, and in June was ordered by the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board to pay $475,000. De Blasio is contesting the ruling.

Prosecutors say Redmond will forfeit $250,000 by waiving his payout for accrued time at the NYPD, which he would have been entitled to had he not been terminated.