Named in 8 known lawsuits, $630,000 total settlements.
Lavan, Romello vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 807108/2021E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, December 9, 2021, ended March 22, 2022
Administrative Closing
Velilla, Marcos, et Al vs City of Ny
Case # 816660/2021E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, December 9, 2021, ended January 25, 2022
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: On October 23, 2017, plaintiff Marcos Velilla and Romello Lavan were wrongfully arrested and their indictments were dismissed on November 12 and January 28, 2020 respectively. Plaintiffs were maliciously prosecuted in criminal actions they did not participate.
Velilla, Marcos, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 811196/2021,
Supreme Court - Bronx, September 17, 2021
Complaint
Description: On October 23, 2017, in Bronx County, Plaintiffs Marcos Velilla and Romeo Lavan were wrongfully arraigned, arrested and imprisoned.
Plaintiffs bring claims of: malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, abuse of process, violation of civil rights under 42 USC Section 1983, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Allah, Lordikim vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 033408/2019E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, November 25, 2019, ended December 30, 2025
$100,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On November 3, 2017, inside 1307 Pugsley Avenue, the defendant police officer Benedict, without warrant or cause, handcuffed, arrested, and placed the plaintiff under custody. In the process of arrest, the defendant officers destroyed valuable property of the plaintiff. The plaintiff was falsely accused of permitting prostitution, criminal possession of controlled substances, and other related charges. All charges against the plaintiff were ultimately dismissed.
Hernandez, Majesty vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 300942/2017,
Supreme Court - Bronx, August 16, 2017
Complaint
Description: On or about January 21, 2016, inside 2140 Seward Avenue, defendant POs Benedict, Doe and Roe grabbed, shoved, pushed, searched and handcuffed Plaintiff in an excessive manner causing injury to her chest, body and limbs, without just cause or provocation, falsely accused Plaintiff of having committed Gang Assault in the Second Degree and placed her under arrest. They did not conduct the proper identification procedures prior to the arrest of Plaintiff. The defendant POs thereafter repeatedly gave false testimony as to the facts and circumstances of Plaintiff's arrest, and on or about January 22, 2016, a criminal complaint was issued against Plaintiff.
On January 27, 2016, Plaintiff appeared in Court and was rel...
Huang, Run Ping, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 706912/2014,
Supreme Court - Queens, October 10, 2014
Complaint
Description: On June 11, 2013, a Defendant undercover officer entered Plaintiff's business and requested that she perform a massage. During the massage, the undercover officer attempted to lower his underwear, to which Plaintiff responded 'No Massage, only'. Despite Plaintiff's refusal to perform any sexual act on the officer, the officer signalled other officers to enter the premises to arrest Plaintiff for crimes of Prostitution. The undercover officer than knowingly forwarded fabricated evidence and information which caused Plaintiff to be arrested and prosecuted. Other defendant police officers also contributed to Plaintiff's false arrest and prosecution by destroying exculpatory evidence.
Guaman, Jessica vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV08902,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, March 13, 2014, ended November 21, 2014
$80,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On December 18, 2010, Jessica Guaman, a transgender woman, was arrested at her home during an undercover operation led by NYPD officers. The officers, including Undercover Officer CO 140, Sergeant Benjamin Benson, Detective Brian Tribble, Officer John Benedict, and others, ridiculed her, used excessive force, and sexually assaulted her. Specifically, Defendant New York City Police Department Undercover Officer CO 140; New York City Sergeant BENJAMIN BENSON; New York City Police Detective BRIAN TRIBBLE; New York City Police Officer JOHN BENEDICT, Shield No. 7783; and/or New York City Police Officers JOHN and JANE DOES 1-5 pushed Ms. Guaman to the ground from behind, causing her face and upper body to strike the ...
He, Xiaoning vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 700008/2012,
Supreme Court - Queens, March 5, 2012, ended July 6, 2015
$450,000 Settlement