{"active":true,"first_name":"Stephen","last_name":"Spataro","race":"White","gender":"Male","rank":"DI","command":{"command":"CT UNIT","assignment_date":"2025-08-11","id":"537"},"taxid":"939513","complaint_ids":[202306857,202103611,201503245,201411482,201308722,201007584,200816860,200616736,200615869,200613631],"command_history":[{"command":"PBSI","id":"PBSI"},{"command":"120 PCT","id":"120pct"},{"command":"007 PCT","id":"7pct"},{"command":"072 PCT","id":"72pct"},{"command":"006 PCT","id":"6pct"}],"appt_date":"2005-07-11","shield_no_history":[15519,324],"lawsuits":[{"name":"Miranda, Michael vs Spataro, Stephen","start_date":"2023-12-06","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"100061/2023","court":"Supreme Court - Richmond"},{"name":"Nyquinones, Marcos vs City of Ny","start_date":"2022-09-13","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"157615/2022","court":"Supreme Court - New York","summary":"On June 5, 2021, at approximately 11 pm, the Plaintiff who was a journalist covering street protests was standing with his camera in hand and his press badge  when an NYPD Captain, Stephen Spataro, approached the Plaintiff and without cause pushed him with a baton. He then swung his baton aiming for the Plaintiff's head. As the Plaintiff tried to escape, defendant Spataro struck him on his shoulders and back seriously injuring him and damaging the Plaintiff's camera. The Plaintiff was unlawfully arrested on July 6, 2021, taken to the 6th precinct where he was held for several hours and issued a desk appearance ticket. The following day, detective and defendant, Thomas Donegan, swore out a criminal complaint charging the Plaintiff with attempted grand larceny and obstruction of governmental administration in connection with the events of June 5, 2021. The Plaintiff was compelled to retain a criminal defense counsel and appear for an arraignment on July 26, 2021 where he plead not guilty. The case against him terminated favorably on November 1, 2021. As a result, the Plaintiff suffered emotional and physical injuries, loss of freedom and reputation, and incurred legal expenses.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=YZKb194owiYpFIBa3IA0bQ==","type":"complaint"}]},{"officer_name":"Spataro, Stephen","start_date":"2022-01-26","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","docket":"22CV00594","name":"Pastor Rusfeldt, Aden vs City of New York, et al.","county":"['New York (Manhattan)']","summary":"On June 27, 2021, Plaintiff Pastor Aden Rusfeldt attempted to protest the New York City Pride Festival. Plaintiff wrote an email to city officials the day before indicating his intention to protest and did not receive a response. On the day of the protest, Plaintiff and other members of his group were wearing shirts with profane \"religious\" messages on them and holding signs with similar messaging. Plaintiff was located on the sidewalk and began shouting profane and incendiary language toward people marching in the Pride parade. As a result, many of the marchers began to confront Plaintiff and his group. The confrontation led to some of the marchers throwing bottles at Plaintiff and his group. A group of police officers at the scene then escorted Plaintiff and his group away from the protest and asked that they lower their signs. Plaintiff refused and stated his protest was protected under the 1st Amendment. Police officers then directed the group to walk \"towards Broadway\" and escorted them. The group then stopped walking and expressed their adamancy about staying near the Pride March, to which they were then arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. The charges were later dropped.","incident_location":"Street","allegations":["False arrest/False imprisonment"],"defendant_types":["NYPD"],"documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.573695/gov.uscourts.nysd.573695.83.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"payout_amount":0,"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/62622008/rusfeldt-v-city-of-new-york-new-york/"},{"name":"Lemos, Kevin an Infant By Mng Amezquita, Sandra vs City of Ny, et al.","start_date":"2021-11-17","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"529003/2021","court":"Supreme Court - Kings","summary":"On or about September 20, 2014 at approximately 2:15 a.m. Plaintiff, who was pregnant and late into her second trimester, was assaulted and battered by PO Degan while she was standing next to her son whom other POs were attempting to arrest. PO Degan threw Plaintiff to the pavement so that she landed on her abdomen. PO Degan then positioned herself on her back and smashed a baton or nightstick on her body. PO Roome assisted PO Degan in pinning Plaintiff to the ground. Plaintiff was then arrested without probable cause for disorderly conduct and was held in custody for approximately 3.75 hours. Thereafter Plaintiff, who had a healthy pregnancy prior, began to have complications and delivered her baby approximately 4 weeks early as a result of this incident. The early birth put the physical well-being and cognitive development of Plaintiff's baby at risk. Plaintiff was maliciously prosecuted and all charges against her were terminated favorably on December 2, 2014.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=49aCJzMGXmbir87ZZ9l4dQ==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Gray, Adam, et Al vs City of Ny, et al.","start_date":"2021-08-19","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"21CV06610","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","summary":"On May 30, 2020, plaintiff while in the street photographing, was forcibly pushed to the ground by P.O. Luigi Tirro. Plaintiff was then pulled from the sidewalk and restrained by Lieutenant Robert Cattani and PO Tirro. Plaintiff was t surrounded by officers including PO Nicholas Terrent and handcuffed. Plaintiff was then re-cuffed and detained by PO Leonel Girron and Adam Muniz. Plaintiff repeatedly explained that he was a member of the press and asked that defendants look at his credentials, to no avail.  Lieutenant Daniel Gallagher was informed by plaintiff that he was a member of the press, but Lieutenant Gallagher ignored the statement and instructed that the plaintiff be taken away and charged.  Inspect Spataro supervised the arrest. Plaintiff was taken for booking and processing by P.O. Girron. Plaintiff was taken to police headquarters, placed in an overcrowded cell, his laptop and camera were seized and he was detained for approx. eight hours. Plaintiff was issued a desk appearance ticket. The Manhattan District Attorney issued a note backdated to May 31st, 2020, declining to prosecute plaintiff. \n\nOn July 15 2020 while standing in the street plaintiff was arrested his property was seized by PO Brianna Carlo as per instructions of NYPD Captain (then Lieutenant) Gzim Palaj.  Captain Palaj told plaintiff that he would be charged because he did not have a press pass although it was obvious given the n multiple professional cameras hanging off of him, but was told this did not matter. Other members of the public who were standing in the vicinity, but who were not taking photographs, were not arrested. Plaintiff was taken to police headquarters where he was processed and then taken to the 5th precinct where he was placed in custody. After several hours, plaintiff was taken out of custody to speak to NYPD Sergeant Patrick E. Quigley, who told plaintiff he knew he was not involved in any criminal act and should not have been arrested. Sergeant Quigley also told plaintiff that he was “lucky” that he was “not going to be locked up all weekend” and indicated plaintiff should “thank” Sergeant Quigley and the NYPD for “putting their necks on the line” for him.  After that plaintiff was taken again to police headquarters and after several hours was releases without charges and with no release documents. \n\nOn June 2nd 2020, plaintiff was photographing events occurring in the street when he was struck in the face by P.O. Christopher B. Hewitson. Plaintiff retreated and held up his press pass. Regardless, PO Hewitson pursued plaintiff with a baton drawn and shoved plaintiff a second time knocking him to ground and leaving him there. Plaintiff suffered injuries to his arms and legs and head trauma, and his equipment was seriously damaged requiring weeks to repair during which plaintiff was unable to perform assignments. The equipment could not be fully repaired.\nOn June 1st 2020 plaintiff was photographing events taking place inside a store at approximately six feet from her. NYPD officers were standing outside the store. Plaintiff was wearing her press pass around her neck. As she was about to shoot a picture she was struck in the face with a baton by P.O. Christopher Radzinski and her lip was split. \n\nOn February 11, 2020 plaintiff was recording a police arrest when he was approached by P.O. Sean P. Robinson. PO Robinson forcibly grabbed and dragged plaintiff to where the arrest was taking place. Plaintiff repeatedly informed PO Robinson that he was a journalist and offered to produce his press pass. Regardless plaintiff was pushed against a car and surrounded by other PO. He was then arrested and handcuffed. Plaintiff again repeated he was a journalist and offered to show his pass. No other by stander was arrested. Plaintiff’s phone, press pass and backpack were seized and plaintiff was taken to the 7th precinct where he was processed and placed in custody. Plaintiff was not permitted to make a phone call and was mocked by a PO. NYPD Seragetan Daniel Slevin asked plaintiff about his press pass. PO Slevin retrieved it from plaintiff backpack, questioned plaintiff about it and then confiscated it. The pass was eventually returned following inquires of plaintiffs attorney. Plaintiff released three hours later and was given a summons. Before leaving plaintiff asked PO Robinson his name and he refused to provide it. The plaintiff’s arrest was reported by news outlets. A video showed plaintiff clearly identifying himself as a journalist contrary to the statements made by the NYPD spokesmen to the press. On plaintiff’s desk appearance ticket PO Robinson affirms that plaintiff stated he was a journalist. With a letter dated May 18 2020 plaintiff was informed that he did not have to return for summons.\n\nOn May 29, 2020 plaintiff was recording events taking place in the street holding his camera in one hand, and his press pass up in his other hand at eye level, making his status as a journalist visibly apparent. As plaintiff was photographing the events NYPD Lieutenant (then Sergeant) Keith Hockaday target Plaintiff and started yelling in his face deliberately ignoring plaintiffs’ press pass. P.O Hockaday continued menacing plaintiff and protestors around him making prohibited over the head strikes with his baton. Plaintiff retreated backwards and fell hard hitting his back on the sidewalk curb. The fall caused a cyst in his back to rupture. Plaintiff had to undergo medical procedures and surgery and still suffers back pain.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.564508/gov.uscourts.nysd.564508.124.0.pdf.","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60111148/gray-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Lemos, Kevin an Infant By Mng Amezquita, Sandra vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2018-04-05","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"506513/2018","court":"Supreme Court - Kings","officer_name":"Spataro, Stephen","summary":"On September 20, 2014, Plaintiff Amezquita was assaulted by her husband, and others outside a restaurant in Brooklyn while visibly pregnant. She was thrown into the street by members of the NYPD, stepped on, tasered, and battered by the officers after they attempted to arrest her son. Officer Degan threw her to the ground, pinned her down with the assistance of Office Roome, and was hit with a baton. She was arrested without probable cause and held in police custody. This incident resulted in complications to her pregnancy and forced her to deliver the baby, Plaintiff Kevin, 4 weeks early. There are concerns regarding the physical and mental development of Plaintiff Kevin as a result of the force used against his mother. Officers Degan, Roome, and Vallecillo provided false information to aid in the arrest and prosecution of Amezquita.\nAlso on September 20, 2014 during the same incident, Plaintiff Florian was assaulted and battered by NYPD officers, including being thrown to the ground and beaten further. He was arrested by Officers Bonavita and Vallecillo, Srgt. Rodriguez, and officers Doe and Roe. Defendants Delossantos and Spataro oversaw and signed off on the arrest and related paperwork. Plaintiff Florian was maliciously prosecuted without cause.\nDuring the same events on September 20, 20214, Plaintiff Hidalgo attempted to alert officers to Amezquita's pregnant condition and was ignored and shoved to the ground by Officer Degan. Her husband, Plaintiff Peralta, attempted to aid her and was assaulted and battered by NYPD officers, and arrested without probable cause. Officer Vallecillo threw Peralta onto the hood of a car while others continued to assault him. Officers Merizalde, Vallecillo, Roome, Rodriguez, Doe, and Roe offered false information to help prosecute Peralta.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=M26PB7lVCI0SsFKO8k7Ong==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Amezquita, Sandra, et al. vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2016-10-17","disposition_date":"2020-08-04","payout_amount":1448500,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"518098/2016","court":"Supreme Court - Kings","officer_name":"Spataro, Stephen","summary":"On or about September 20, 2014, Defendant Police Officers Pedro Vallecillo, Elvis Merizalde, Joseph Degan, Eric Roome, Gary Bonavita, Richard Rodrigues, and Defendant Sergeants Richard Rodrigues, Delossantos, Frank Rodriguez, and Lieutenants Stephen threw Plaintiff 1, who was pregnant and late in her second trimester and in the vicinity of her son who was being arrested, abdomen-down onto the pavement. Defendant Officer Degan then positioned himself on Plaintiff 1's back and smashed her body with a baton. The Defendants did so without probable cause. Charges against Plaintiff 1 were dismissed on December 2, 2014. \n\nAt the same incident as Plaintiff 1's, Defendant assaulted and battered Plaintiff 1's husband, Plaintiff 2, without probable cause. Plaintiff 2's charges were dismissed on March 27, 2015. \n\nAt the same incident, Plaintiff 3 approached Defendants to inform them that Plaintiff 1 was pregnant. Defendant Officer Degan then turned away from Plaintiff 1 and pushed Plaintiff 3 to the ground, causing her to roll approximately ten to fifteen feet into the middle of the street. Plaintiff 3, unable to stand up, remained lying on the street until the ambulance took her to a hospital.\n\nAt the same incident, Plaintiff 4, Plaintiff 3's husband, went to aid Plaintiff 3 after Defendant Officer Degan pushed her to the ground. When Plaintiff 4 went to do so, Defendant Officer Vallecillo rushed at Plaintiff 4, threw him on the hood of the car, and Defendants began assaulting and battering him. All charges against Plaintiff 4 were dismissed on March 27, 2015.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=/FXwXmGJH/mvoWpQ_PLUS_vp3ig==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Del Rosario, Enrique vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2015-04-21","disposition_date":"2016-05-31","payout_amount":40000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"15CV02139","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","officer_name":"Spataro, Stephen","summary":"Defendant Officers severely assaulted Plaintiff for holding a video camera, stole the video camera, and charged him with 120.05, Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, ß 155.30 Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, 120.00 Attempted Assault in the Third Degree, ß 155.25 Attempted Petit Larceny, and ß 240.20 Disorderly Conduct, which resulted in an ACD","documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4920594-Del-Rosario-v-City-of-New-York-et-al","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13242255/del-rosario-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Amezquita, Sandra, et al. vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2015-01-22","disposition_date":"2016-10-15","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"Zero Disposition","docket":"15CV00303","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","officer_name":"Spataro, Stephen","summary":"While her son was being arrested, Plaintiff 1, who was visibly pregnant, was thrown to the ground, assaulted, and arrested.  She was given a summons for dis con which was later dismissed. Plaintiff 2 was shoved to the ground by Officer Degen and needed to be hospitalized. Plaintiff 3 and 4, the other Plaintiff's husbands, were both assaulted by  police officers, arrested, and charged with OGA, harassment, and assault in the 2nd and 3rd degree. Charges later dismissed.","documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4920415-Amezquita-et-al-v-The-City-of-New-York-et-al","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/14539435/amezquita-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"officer_name":"Spataro, Stephen","disposition":"Settlement","start_date":"2011-11-18","disposition_date":"2013-03-26","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","docket":"11CV05644","name":"Champagne, Shameek, et Al vs City of New York, et al.","payout_amount":155000,"documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4919379-Champagne-et-al-v-City-of-New-York-et-al"},{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4919380-Champagne-et-al-v-City-of-New-York-et-al"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6123727/champagne-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"officer_name":"Spataro, Stephen","disposition":"Settlement","start_date":"2011-06-21","disposition_date":"2016-10-31","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","docket":"11CV02841","name":"Burch, Tacqwana Adm of Streeter, Stanley vs City of New York, et al.","payout_amount":1500000,"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4321027/burch-v-city-of-new-york/"}],"discipline":[{"disposition_date":"2022-05-20","case_no":"2021-23796","penalty":"Instructions","recommendation":"Command Discipline - B","allegations":[{"desc":"Wrongfully used physical force."}]}],"image":"https://www.50-a.org/images/officer/BNK5-stephen-spataro.jpg","payroll":{"salary":"204936","regular":"202492","overtime":"0","other":"19708","total":"222200"},"socials":[{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/steve.spataro.5","type":"facebook"}],"id":"BNK5","url":"https://www.50-a.org/officer/BNK5"}