Conclusion Meanings:
'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - the alleged conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - CCRB has fully investigated but could not affirmatively conclude both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
Further details on conclusion definitions.
Named in 4 known lawsuits, $58,500 total settlements.
Fabian, Ramon, et al. vs Pappalardo, Michael A. et al.
Case # 18CV02996,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, May 21, 2018
Complaint
Description: Plaintiffs were pulled over, accused of theft, thrown to the ground, and assaulted. They were neither brought to a police station, nor arrested. Both Plaintiffs sustained chest and knee injuries.
Fabian, Ramon, et al. vs Pappalardo, Michael A. et al.
Case # 18CV09096,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, May 21, 2018, ended December 30, 2019
$10,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On July 9, 2015, NYPD officers Michael Pappalardo and John Paul Leddy stopped plaintiffs while driving and falsely accused them of theft. The officers then threw plaintiffs to the ground, kneed them in the back, and handcuffed them. Plaintiffs were left handcuffed face-down on the ground for an extended period of time. Plaintiffs were never brought to a police station or charged with a crime.
Terrani, Kevin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 17CV06552,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, September 26, 2017, ended May 21, 2018
$12,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On December 26, 2016, plaintiff called 911 to inform the police that his brother, present at plaintiff's apartment, was violating an Order of Protection. That Order required plaintiff's brother not to have any contact with plaintiff. Defendants arrived at the scene and expressed discontent at having been called in the absence of an emergency. Defendant Leddy informed plaintiff that they were going to take him to the hospital given that he had called 911. Plaintiff refused, explaining that he called only to inform the police as to his brother's violation of the Order of Protection. Plaintiff then called 911 again. Defendant Foley arrived at plaintiff's apartment and ultimately agreed with Defendant Leddy: plaint...
Sparber, Michael, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV00524,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, March 19, 2013, ended September 4, 2013
$36,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On January 18, 2010, Plaintiffs Sparber and Archer were outside a restaurant at 2 am. Defendant Officer Christopher Zappoli threw Plaintiff Sparber against a building, chipping his tooth, while Defendant Officer Paul Leddy did the same to Plaintiff Archer. Both Plaintiffs were cuffed and taken to a precinct. Plaintiff Archer was released after several hours with a ticket for disorderly conduct. All charges were dismissed on March 24, 2010. Defendant Sparber was held for several additional hours and was ticketed with additional obstruction charges based on false statements by Officer Zappoli, before being released. Defendant Sparber returned to court eight times before all charges were dismissed on Februa...