Alan Avella

Lawsuits

Named in 10 known lawsuits, $288,500 total settlements.

Bah, Thierno vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 026964/2020, Supreme Court - Bronx, July 7, 2020
Complaint
Description: On April 26, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. plaintiff Thierno Bah was lawfully walking in front of 1310 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, New York when he was aggressively approached by defendants, including officer Heckett, Benitez, Harris, Terrell, Avella and Faello. Defendants then physically grabbed the plaintiff’s body and limbs and proceeded to slam him face-first against the wall and handcuffed the plaintiff in an excessively tight fashion which caused pain and injury. After being handcuffed, Defendants struck the plaintiff again with closed fists, steel-toed boots and various hard objects and tased him multiple times. Plaintiff suffered physical pain and injuries, including lacerations, fractures, hematomas, contusions, inte...

Schlett, David vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 022258/2018E, Supreme Court - Bronx, February 28, 2018, ended August 22, 2018
$17,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On 11/26/2016, PO Avella searched plaintiff's car under the premises that many breakins had occurred in the neighborhood, and he could search anything in plain sight. Plaintiff Schlett allegedly possessed an illegal knife. PO Avella took Schlett to jail. Schlett alleges that after being released, $120 was missing from his wallet, and he had to spend multiple days defending himself against frivolous charges.

Mercado, Nathan vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 026243/2017E, Supreme Court - Bronx, July 27, 2017, ended October 8, 2025
$3,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On February 4, 2016, the plaintiff was lawfully present near the stairwell in a New York City Housing Authority building in the Bronx when NYPD Officer Alan Avella and other defendant officers approached the plaintiff with guns drawn, demanding to know where “the marijuana” is. The plaintiff responded, “There is none.” The officers then searched the plaintiff twice, found nothing, and bagged the cigarette that had fallen from the plaintiff’s mouth. The officers then transported the plaintiff to a precinct. He was charged with criminal offenses, all of which were dismissed in the plaintiff’s favor.

Mercado, Nathan, et Al., vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 304375/2015, Supreme Court - Bronx, December 31, 2015, ended August 1, 2017
$52,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On February 4, 2016, plaintiff was lawfully present in a stairwell at an apartment building when defendant NYPD officers, including defendant officer Alan Avilla, responded to said location, guns drawn, and asked the plaintiff where the marijuana was. After the plaintiff told the defendants there was no marijuana, he was searched, battered, and although nothing was found, falsely arrested and imprisoned by the defendants. The defendants then brought malicious criminal charges against the plaintiff in the absence of any evidence of criminal wrongdoing, which charges were ultimately dismissed on May 23, 2016.

Bruce, George vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV06675, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, December 14, 2015, ended May 17, 2018
$7,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers approached Plaintiff and his friend while they were walking down the street carrying a garbage bag. Officer Avela and Cato continuously used physical force against Plaintiff, searched him, handcuffed him, and called an EMT labeling Plaintiff as an Emotionally Disturbed Person. Plaintiff was taken to the hospital, examined by a psychiatrist who found nothing wrong with him, and then released without charges.

Foster, Kevin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 024155/2015E, Supreme Court - Bronx, August 4, 2015, ended September 14, 2016
$35,000 Settlement

Igle, Tyrone vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 302834/2015, Supreme Court - Bronx, July 17, 2015, ended August 13, 2019
$75,000 Settlement

Hilliard, Stanley vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 12CV05093, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, July 5, 2012, ended April 5, 2013
$7,500 Settlement

Anzian, Manzan and Kouakou, Bertin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 306602/2011, Supreme Court - Bronx, August 4, 2011, ended March 20, 2013
$15,000 Settlement

Doukoure, Mohammed By Png Doukoure, Usman vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 350173/2011, Supreme Court - Bronx, May 5, 2011, ended March 11, 2013
$75,000 Settlement