Complaint #202004123,
May 31, 2020

Officer: Grillo, James
Complainant: Age 32
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Miscellaneous - Subject Retired
Officer: Nikas, Elias
Complainant: Age 32
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Blum, William
Complainant: Age 32
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Grillo, James
Complainant: Age 32
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Miscellaneous - Subject Retired
Officer: Rufrano, Robert
Complainant: Age 32
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Seizure of property
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Age 30-34
Allegation: Force: Restricted Breathing
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Age 30-34
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Grillo, James Age 32 Force: Physical force Miscellaneous - Subject Retired
Nikas, Elias Age 32 Abuse of Authority: Retaliatory arrest Substantiated (Charges)
Blum, William Age 32 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Grillo, James Age 32 Force: Physical force Miscellaneous - Subject Retired
Rufrano, Robert Age 32 Abuse of Authority: Seizure of property Substantiated (Command Discipline A)
Unknown Officer Age 30-34 Force: Restricted Breathing Officer(s) Unidentified
Unknown Officer Age 30-34 Force: Physical force Exonerated

Conclusion Meanings:

'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Officer(s) Unidentified': Unable to identify the officers who committed the alleged misconduct
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalties

Nikas, Elias
Formalized Training
Closed: Resolved by plea, October 16, 2025
APU Formalized Training
Formalized Training

Rufrano, Robert
Formalized Training

Details

Incident: May 31, 2020
Received: June 9, 2020
Closed: April 9, 2021
Last Updated: October 18, 2025

Reason for contact: Demonstration/protest
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 13th Precinct Manhattan
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Edward Faini, Edward Herdina, Nezir Ljubanovic, John Mccormick
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected
Video evidence collected