NEW YORK (AP) — Four high-ranking former New York City police officials are accusing Mayor Eric Adams and his top deputies of doling out promotions to unqualified allies as part of a scheme that also involved alleged cash bribes paid to the ex-police commissioner.

The former chiefs argued in court papers they lost their jobs after raising concerns that unqualified officers connected to then-police commissioner Edward Caban were being promoted to sensitive positions in the department.

The NYPD’s former chief of detectives filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging he was forced out of the department and retaliated against because he raised concerns over what he viewed as improper promotions and transfers,