New York City Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes has now abruptly withdrawn the disciplinary charges she filed against probation officers union President Dalvanie Powell less than two weeks ago, the Daily News has learned.
The charges, as The News first reported, were filed June 20. Powell reported the withdrawal of the charges to the 651 members of the United Probation Officers Association on Wednesday morning.
“As many of you know, I was recently the subject of internal charges brought by the department,” Powell wrote in a message to officers. “I am relieved and proud to share that those charges have now been withdrawn. My name has been cleared.”
Spokesmen for Holmes’ agency last week declined to disclose the nature of the charges, but sources said they had to do with some discrepancy in her time cards. Though she is union president, Powell is technically still on the city payroll as a probation officer.
The filing of internal charges against a union president is highly unusual, as is suddenly withdrawing them.
Former Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes is pictured in Queens in 2021. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News)
Powell has been a prominent critic of Holmes’ tenure. Her spokesman Jake Oliver last week called the charges “baseless,” and “clearly a retaliatory move by a commissioner unwilling to accept constructive criticism from a union leader.” He said across three decades with the agency, Powell had never faced discipline before.
“This misuse of authority is unacceptable and undermines the integrity of the disciplinary process,” Oliver added. “President Powell has complied with all time sheet requirements, and we are confident that these bogus allegations will either be dismissed outright or found to be without merit by a hearing officer.”
Responded Probation general counsel Bridget Hamblin: “Any statements suggesting that this is more than a legitimate investigation is false and an attempt to deflect any responsibility is wrong.”
But in a terse one-paragraph letter to Powell on Monday, Hamblin wrote the charges are “being held in abeyance.”
“The department will inform you when the disciplinary process will resume,” the note added.
Then, confusingly, Hamblin sent a second one-paragraph letter to Powell on Tuesday stating, “Please be advised the disciplinary charges served on you on June 20, 2025, are being withdrawn pending further investigation.”
Copies of the letters were reviewed by The News Wednesday. It was unclear what changed in the 24 hours between the two letters.
Reps at City Hall and Probation did not immediately reply to emails inquiring why the charges were withdrawn.
“This chapter has not been easy, but I have never wavered in my commitment to our union and membership,” Powell added on Wednesday in her message to members.
“I always have and I always will believe in speaking up for what is right. That means raising my voice when attrition causes staffing levels to plummet and you aren’t treated with dignity and respect.”
Originally Published: July 2, 2025 at 1:59 PM EDT