{"active":false,"first_name":"Thomas","last_name":"Purtell","race":"White","gender":"Male","rank":"COB","command":{"command":"C O B"},"ended_date":"2018-01-02","taxid":"876860","complaint_ids":[201205649,201205146,8406647,8402869],"command_history":[{"command":"PBMS","id":"PBMS"}],"appt_date":"1982-01-25","lawsuits":[{"name":"Nigro, Michael vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2019-06-11","disposition_date":"2021-09-24","payout_amount":165000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"19CV02369","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","summary":"On March 19, 2016, plaintiff, a journalist, was photographing a protest when he was falsely arrested by NYPD Officers, including Deputy Inspector Andrew Lombardo and Officer Joseph Aniano. Plaintiff had previously published an incriminating photo of Lombardo. Lombardo recognized plaintiff as the photographer who published the image before falsely arresting him. Around the date of plaintiff's arrest, John D'Adamo was the Commanding Officer of the NYPD Strategic Response Group and a supervisor of Lombardo. Further, James McNamara was an executive officer of the NYPD’s Citywide Special Operations Bureau, which oversees the Strategic Response Group. The Chief of the NYPD’s Special Operations Bureau was Chief Thomas Purtell.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.511938/gov.uscourts.nysd.511938.43.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/14725077/nigro-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Packard, George, et al. vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2015-09-24","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"15CV07130","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","summary":"On September 15, 2012,  Plaintiff Charles Meacham was near Trinity Church on lower Broadway within the confines of the First Precinct in Manhattan. Meachem, a photographer, standing on the sidewalk engaged in his professional capacity, was grabbed and detained by Inspector Edward Winski and passed to Police Officer Thomas Doonan to process Plaintiff’s arrest for disorderly conduct, which were subsequently dismissed.\nBetween September 15 to September 17, 2012, as the first anniversary of the September 17, 2011 Occupy Wall Street Protests approached, the previous and following plaintiffs were wrongfully arrested by NYPD officers, all while engaged in expressive speech activity protected by the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.\nOn September 17, 2012,  Plaintiff George Packard was leading a group of individuals in expressive speech activity on a sidewalk leading to the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street in downtown Manhattan. The group was stopped by NYPD Police Officers, not able to proceed, nor turn back, and Packard was arrested. Charges were dismissed with an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. \nOn September 17, 2012, Plaintiff Edward Beck was marching with a group of individuals in downtown Manhattan, on the sidewalk in front of a building on lower Broadway near the corner of Morris Street, engaging in expressive speech activity including carrying banners and signs. Inspector Winski, among others, entered the sidewalk, grabbed Beck and placed him under arrest. Beck was charged with disorderly conduct, which was later dismissed. \nOn September 17, 2012, Plaintiff Michelle Berger was walking with a group of individuals on the sidewalks in downtown Manhattan, near the New York Stock Exchange, engaging in expressive speech activity. As Berger entered a crosswalk, she heard her name, turned and saw her friend being swarmed by police and arrested. Berger yelled “false arrest” while continuing to cross the street in the crosswalk. Before reaching the other side of the street, Berger was grabbed from behind, twisted around, thrown to the ground, arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. The Manhattan DA’s Office declined to prosecute the charges.\nOn September 17, 2012, Plaintiff Ari Cowan was walking with a group of individuals on the sidewalks in downtown Manhattan, near Zuccotti Park, while engaging in expressive speech activity. While on Liberty Street, Cowan approached scaffolding overhanging the sidewalk and marched through the sidewalk area underneath the scaffolding. A NYPD police officer ordered individuals to make room on the sidewalk and to stay to one side of the sidewalk. Immediately after the officer made this announcement, the officer entered the sidewalk, grabbed Cowan and arrested him for disorderly conduct. The charges were dismissed in an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. \nOn September 17, 2012, Plaintiff Connor Hicks was with a group on West Street near Albany Street, and they sought to engage in expressive speech activity at the entrance to the Goldman Sachs office building. NYPD police officers would not allow expressive speech activity in front of the Goldman Sachs office building and the group was forced by the officers to continue walking. As the individuals crossed West Street, an unknown female was walking in the crosswalk when she was pushed from behind. Hicks began to help this female to cross the street and was pushed violently from behind by a police officer, knocked to the ground, brought to the middle of the street, and arrested. Charges were dismissed via an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.\nOn September 17, 2012, Plaintiff Chris Phillips was walking with a group of individuals on the sidewalks in downtown Manhattan. Phillips was stopped near the intersection of Liberty Street and Broadway, when he was grabbed from behind by the neck and pushed to the ground. Phillips was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. The Manhattan DA’s Office declined to prosecute the charges. \nOn September 17, 2012, Plaintiff Larry Swetman was standing with a group of individuals in front of a Bank of America branch on lower Broadway across the street from Zuccotti Park. No individual sought to enter or exit the Bank branch, the sidewalk was not blocked and pedestrians were able to walk by the area where the individuals were standing. Without warning they were engaged in unlawful conduct, NYPD Sergeant Arthur Smarsch, among other police officers, began to grab Swetman and others. Swetman and other individuals placed their hands in the air and asked to be able to disperse, but were not allowed to disperse and were arrested. Charges were dismissed via an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.  \nOn September 17, 2012, Plaintiff Amadon Dellerba was live streaming from the sidewalk of a street near the New York stock exchange. While walking on the sidewalk in downtown Manhattan, Dellerba was tackled from behind, picked up and shoved up against scaffolding by a NYPD police officer. Dellerba was placed under arrest and charged with disorderly conduct and other charges. All charges against Dellerba were resolved via an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.447285.1.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355788/packard-v-the-city-of-new-york-1-center-street-new-york-new-york-10007/"},{"name":"Gerskovich, Alex vs Nypd Captain Iocco, Mark, et al.","start_date":"2015-09-24","disposition_date":"2017-11-03","payout_amount":256000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"15CV07280","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","summary":"On the morning of September 17, 2012, Plaintiff Alex Gershkovich was involved in the one year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street; in particular he was participating in protests and photographing arrests made near 4 New York Plaza. He documented the speech activity with video and still photography. At approximately 9:00 a.m., officers including Captain Mark Iocco arrested Mr. Gershkovich while he was standing outside a commercial building on the corner of Water and Broad Street. The officers singled out Mr. Gershkovich because he was an active participant in the Occupy Wall Street Movement.\n\nOn September 18, 2012, at 7:15 p.m., Captain Iocco falsely testified to a member of the New York County District Attorney's Office in order to maintain Mr. Gershkovich's detention. Captain Iocco falsely swore that he observed Mr. Gershkovich inside the building lobby with 30 other individuals, that he observed Mr. Gershkovich in the lobby yelling and screening, and that he told Mr. Gershkovich multiple times that he must leave the building or else be arrested for trespassing. \n\nNone of this was true and Captain Iocco knew that none of it was true at the time. What actually happened is that Mr. Gershkovich was taking photos of officers, such as Captain Iocco, making arrests inside of New York Plaza 4 and then exiting the building. Captain Iocco approached Mr. Gershkovich and asked him if he had a press pass. He responded that he did not need a press pass. Captain Iocco informed him that he was being arrested. P.O.s Ivan Bautista, Daniel Cross, and an unknown John Doe P.O. were all very nearby and could hear the entire interaction. Mr. Gershkovich turned around and put his hands behind his back. Captain Iocco aggressively grabbed at him, violently and aggressively pushed his face into a brick wall, and arrested him. He was held for approximately 40 hours before being arraigned. After five court appearances, all charges against Mr. Gershkovich were dismissed by the New York County District Attorney's Office.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.447454.56.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355812/gerskovich-v-iocco/"},{"name":"Richardson, Luke vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2015-07-23","disposition_date":"2018-12-17","payout_amount":30000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"15CV05775","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","summary":"On September 17, 2012, as plaintiff was participating in the 1-year anniversary celebration of the \"Occupy Wall Street\" protests, defendants struck plaintiff from behind, grasping their batons between both hands and shoving plaintiff in the back. Defendant Iocco grabbed plaintiff by the strap of his messenger bag and dragged him through a crowd of defendant officers. Defendants Bautista and Suddler placed plastic flex-cuffs tightly around plaintiff’s wrists, causing pain then numbness to plaintiff’s hands and wrists. Defendant was charged with disorderly conduct and released after 13 hours in custody. The charges against plaintiff were subsequently dismissed.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.445188.29.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355570/richardson-v-the-city-of-new-yorket-al/"},{"name":"Savoy, Jon vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2015-01-06","disposition_date":"2015-10-02","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"Zero Disposition","docket":"14CV07955","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13245643/savoy-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","disposition":"Administrative Closing","start_date":"2014-11-26","disposition_date":"2016-03-29","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","docket":"14CV08501","name":"Trujillo, Marco vs City of New York, et al.","payout_amount":0,"summary":"Plaintiff was a Sergeant within the NYPD for 22 years.  Plaintiff claims that Inspector Danberry falsely accused Plaintiff of failing to follow protocols and when Plaintiff complained, Danberry charged Plaintiff with meritless departmental charges. As retaliation for defendant's complaints and being found not guilty on the charges, Plaintiff was transferred to the 13th Precinct.  Plaintiff was subjected to more retaliatory transfers.  Plaintiff claims Sgt. Rajan was racist and discriminatory towards Hispanics/Latinos. All NYPD supervisors and other defendants repeatedly ignored Plaintiff's complaints.  On two occasions, Sgt. Rajan physically attacked Plaintiff. Plaintiff is suing the NYPD and officers for their racist/discriminatory policies and lack of oversight.","documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4918505-Trujillo-v-The-City-Of-New-York"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13245678/trujillo-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Reinhart, Julia, et al. vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2013-11-21","disposition_date":"2014-08-01","payout_amount":40000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"13CV08314","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","summary":"On September 17, 2012, Plaintiffs JULIA REINHART and TIMOTHY EASTMAN  were lawfully present in Lower Manhattan as photojournalists covering the one year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street. Without cause, Plaintiff JULIA REINHART was bodily seized by one or more Defendant POLICE OFFICERS, handcuffed and placed under arrest at the direction Defendant NEW YORK CITY POLICE CAPTAIN VENTRELLA. Without cause, Plaintiff TIMOTHY EASTMAN was bodily seized by one or more Defendant POLICE OFFICERS, handcuffed and placed under arrest at the direction Defendant NEW YORK CITY POLICE CHIEF THOMAS PURTELL. Plaintiffs were released later in the day on September 17, 2012. All charges against Plaintiffs were eventually dismissed and sealed, but Plaintiffs were prevented from undertaking journalistic coverage of the Occupy Wall Street one year anniversary activities by their arrests.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.420387/gov.uscourts.nysd.420387.1.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4621274/reinhart-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Laugier, Faith vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2013-09-04","disposition_date":"2015-01-19","payout_amount":85000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"13CV06171","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","summary":"Faith Laugier is a journalist covering the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. This movement wanted to bring attention to income inequality and corporate greed. On October 1, 2011. Plaintiff was documenting the protest when she was directed by the police onto the Brooklyn Bridge’s eastbound traffic lanes.  However, as the group reached the middle of the bridge, the police suddenly ordered everyone to stop.  The police officers did not provide any information on how they should proceed. Police announced they would proceed to arrest and arrest others. The plaintiff complied with police directions but was arrested. Police officer Rinelli falsely accused Faith Laugier of obstructing traffic. Faith was charged with disorderly conduct, which was dismissed on February 6, 2013. She was detained for several hours, held on a bus, then transported between two precincts. The plaintiff suffered emotional distress, loss of property, reputational damage, and legal costs. New York police officers acted under the supervision of said department and according to official duties and state and city law.\n\n\tOn November 15, 2011, the NYPD arrested multiple people at Zuccotti Park. Police removed all protestors, including Faith Laugier, and their belongings. Using unjustified force. Faith asked the police to retrieve her personal items. However, she was blocked by the police. She was denied access despite explaining that she was a journalist and had property in the park. The police cleared out the park, and Faith’s belongings were seized. \nOn November 17, 2011, Faith was covering an OWS demonstration. As the protestors marched, the police blocked their progress. An officer told Faith to move back. The plaintiff was in front of the demonstration and complied with the Police. Police were told Plaintiff was a journalist. Police picked her up and carried her to a van without asking if she could walk. The plaintiff was dropped twice on the street. Officers secured her wrists with tight plastic flexicuffs that caused her hands to turn blue; they could not be taken off with scissors. The plaintiff was taken for process. The defendant restricts the plaintiff's liberty, making it fear for safety, loss of property, and loss of wages. The charges were dismissed on March 22, 2013.  \n\n\tThis was not an isolated incident. The CITY OF NEW YORK is believed to have implemented a policy in which individuals are selected from random arrests out of a group of protestors to create fear and target individuals not engaging in illegal activity. Faith Laugier is suing The City of New York as a municipal entity and multiple police officers in their individual capacities and as police officers.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.417003/gov.uscourts.nysd.417003.37.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4352656/laugier-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","disposition":"Settlement","start_date":"2012-11-30","disposition_date":"2014-01-24","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","docket":"12CV08728","name":"Boss, Joshua vs City of New York, et al.","payout_amount":55000,"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4619490/boss-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","disposition":"Settlement","start_date":"2011-02-25","disposition_date":"2020-04-01","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","docket":"300732/2011","name":"Mcreynolds, Reginald vs City of New York, et al.","payout_amount":60000,"documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4921749-McReynolds-Reginald-v-City-of-New-York-et-al"}]},{"officer_name":"Purtell, Thomas P.","disposition":"Settlement","start_date":"2005-12-30","disposition_date":"2015-03-10","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","docket":"05CV06024","name":"Miller, Derek vs City, Ray Kelly, Grasso et al.","payout_amount":50000,"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5480297/miller-v-city-of-new-york/"}],"documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24441170-bronx-notified-officers-list-edited_redacted-redacted_redacted","type":"credibility-finding"}],"image":"https://www.50-a.org/images/officer/4548-thomas-purtell.jpg","id":"4548","url":"https://www.50-a.org/officer/4548"}