Disgraced former NYPD union chief Ed Mullins pleads guilty to federal fraud case

The disgraced former head of the NYPD Police Sergeant Benevolent Association pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union, including to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Ed Mullins, 61, admitted in federal court in Manhattan that he filed fake and inflated expense reports to “get money from the SBA reserve fund that I wasn’t entitled to.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Mullins replied when Judge John Keltl asked if he knew what he was doing was illegal.

He said he embezzled about $600,000 by submitting “false and inflated” expense reports to the union between 2017 and 2021.

Federal prosecutors accused Mullins of using membership dues to pay for hundreds of personal meals, as well as clothing, jewelry, and household appliances. The feds said he even used SBA money to pay for a relative’s college tuition.

As part of his plea deal, Mullins brought charges of wire fraud and agreed not to appeal if the judge handed down a prison sentence of up to 41 months or less.

He faces up to a maximum of 20 years when he is sentenced on May 25.

Feds and lawyers for Mullins, who was charged with wire fraud last year, were in plea talks, court records show.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Rothman said if the case went to trial, prosecutors would present evidence from searches of Mullins’ office and home that would show fake credit card statements, texts, emails, bank records and deposits.

“Few of us have strayed from the path of life … and today Mr. Mullins took a big step in righting his wrongs,” Mullins’ lawyer Thomas Kenniff said in front of the courthouse.

In a statement after the hearing, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, “Edward Mullins has pledged to look after the thousands of hard-working NYPD Sergeants who are members of the SBA. Instead, as acknowledged today in federal court, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from them to fund his lavish lifestyle.”

In October 2021, the FBI raided Mullins’ home and the union’s office. A few months later, he turned himself in to the feds and was later released on $250,000 bail.

The union sued its former leader for $1 million and other damages last March.