Conclusion Meanings:
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unable to Determine': The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
'Within NYPD Guidelines': The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
Further details on conclusions.
Named in 4 known lawsuits, $404,503 total settlements.
Shirley, Benjamin vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 23CV09696,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, November 14, 2023, ended April 8, 2024
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: On March 8, 2020, around midnight, Plaintiff, a Black dentist, was lawfully present at the premises of the dental office he owned. Plaintiff exited the office to discard the office’s trash in the building’s designated area and reentered his office using his keys. Defendant officers Thomas Lee and Eugene Choi observed this and without justification, reasonable suspicion, or probable cause, began shining their flashlights inside the window and onto Plaintiff’s face, temporarily blinding and disorienting him. Defendant officers accessed the building’s intercom system and demanded Plaintiff exit the premises and show identification. Plaintiff called 911 and the dispatcher talked down to him then disconnected him. T...
Shirley, Benjamin vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 154769/2021,
Supreme Court - New York, May 26, 2021
Complaint
Description: On May 14, 2018, dentist Plaintiff was on the sidewalk abutting his place of work when POs Fitzgerald and Celenza approached, stopped, questioned, and detained him without justification. The POs lied about the reason for the stop, and when they saw that Plaintiff was videotaping the encounter, PO Celenza covered his badge and shined his flashlight in Plaintiff's face. During the encounter, the POs repeatedly refused to identify themselves and repeatedly laughed at Plaintiff. When the POs left the scene, they nearly struck Plaintiff with their vehicle.
Two years, later, starting on the evening of March 8, 2020, Plaintiff exited his place of work to take out the trash. After POs Lee and Choi observed him reente...
Paulini, Ethan, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV07059,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, November 6, 2015, ended June 28, 2017
$62,502 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On September 11, 2014, Plaintiffs Sajous and Paulini hailed a cab on the corner of West 13th Street and 7th Avenue to go uptown driven by Defendant Adolph. Adolph took city streets for about twenty blocks and had to stop frequently for red lights. Sajous asked the driver to take the Westside Highway, but Adolph responded, "No." Sajous responded that she believed it was against the law for a taxi driver to refuse a request route. Adolph responded, "I don't have to do anything for a Nigger," to which Paulini said, "What did you say?" The driver, in a much louder voice, then said, "Now the Faggot got something to say." Plaintiffs immediately asked the driver to pull over and let them out, but he refused. Plaintiff...
Kelly, Christopher, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV00053,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 23, 2015, ended November 18, 2018
$342,001 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On October 9, 2013, plaintiffs (husband and wife) were engaged in a serious discussion in their bedroom. Around midnight, the wife wished to end the conversation and commented that she was going to jump out of the apartment window. She wasn't being serious, but her husband mistook the gravity of her comment and called 911. The operator had already answered before he realized he had misinterpreted her statement and informed the 911 operator that there had been a misunderstanding and that help was not needed. Shortly afterward, P.O. Eugene Choi and other unnamed officers showed up at their apartment door. The husband went to answer the door and said he preferred they didn't enter the apartment because his wi...
