Papa, Royal vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 158982/2016,
Supreme Court - New York, October 26, 2016, ended October 1, 2018
$27,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about October 25, 2013, Plaintiff, Royal Papa, was lawfully distributing compact discs containing his own original music in Times Square in New York, New York, which is an activity that is protected under the First Amendment. Several Police Officers including defendant Police Officer Christopher McLaughlin, Tax / Shield No. 8960, and defendant Sergeant Russell Maturo, Tax / Shield No. 02822, approached Plaintiff. Without any explanation, the officers grabbed Plaintiff, forced him into handcuffs, and used excessive force to throw him to the ground and beat him. The officers then unlawfully searched Plaintiff and recovered no contraband from Plaintiff. Despite having no probable cause to believe that Plaint...