Named in 5 known lawsuits, $286,000 total settlements.
Packard, George, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV07130,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, September 24, 2015
Complaint
Description: 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.
Between 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 ...
Gerskovich, Alex vs Nypd Captain Iocco, Mark, et al.
Case # 15CV07280,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, September 24, 2015, ended November 3, 2017
$256,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: 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.
On September 18, 2012, at 7:15 p.m., Captain Iocco falsely testified to a member of the New York County District Attorney's...
Richardson, Luke vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV05775,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, July 23, 2015, ended December 17, 2018
$30,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: 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.
Mediavilla, Jose vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV08624,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, December 3, 2014, ended September 18, 2017
Settlement
Complaint
Description: On November 5, 2011, plaintiff was participating in an Occupy Wall Street demonstration. Defendant police officers prevented the protest participants from ascending the steps of the New York State Supreme Court building. Although no disorderly conduct was being committed, politce Lt. Michael Zielinski, on instruction from police deputy chief Steve Anger, used a bullhorn to issue an unlawful order to disperse. Plaintiff attempted to alert police officers that prohibiting access to the steps was unconstitutional, and as the officers continued to block access, plaintiff began chanting "Treason!" Without warning, officers grabbed plaintiff, forcing him away from the other demonstrators. Officers including PO Anthon...
Collins, Marilyn, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 14CV08815,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, November 6, 2014
Complaint
Description: On November 5, 2011, Plaintiffs were protesting near the Supreme Court building when they were ordered to disperse. Failing to comply, they were arrested. Plaintiff Marilyn Collins was held for four hours and ticketed for disorderly conduct. She attended court eight times before her ticket was dismissed on speedy trial grounds. Plaintiff Jennifer Heinz was held for four hours and ticketed for disorderly conduct. She attended court nine times before her ticket was dismissed on speedy trial grounds. Plaintiff Elizabeth Lepenne was held for four hours and ticketed for disorderly conduct. Prosecutors declined to prosecute her on January 10, 2012. Plaintiff Emilou Maclean was held for four hours and ticketed...
