Named in 4 known lawsuits, $262,500 total settlements.
Mccormick, Howard vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 713542/2020,
Supreme Court - Queens, August 27, 2020, ended January 17, 2025
$200,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about May 23, 2017, in Queens County, New York, Howard McCormick was forcibly seized, detained, handcuffed, and arrested by NYPD Officers Dennis Lopez and Christopher Distefano, without (1) a warrant (2) probable cause (3) reasonable suspicion of a crim. activity. Following his arrest, the officers initiated a criminal prosecution based on false statements and withheld exculpatory evidence, leading to McCormick's wrongful incarceration for over one year. NYPD Sergeant Kevin Bischoff was aware of the misconduct and failed to intervene, condoning the officers' illegal actions.
McCormick was eventually found not guilty of all charges after a jury trial on July 15, 2019, and the charges were dismissed. As a...
Portalatin, John vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 709246/2016,
Supreme Court - Queens, August 20, 2018
Complaint
Description: On August 9, 2013, Defendant Dennis Lopez, along with six unnamed officers, unlawfully and forcefully arrested Plaintiff. Plaintiff was arrested in connection with a report made by a taxi driver, alleging that Plaintiff and the other passengers had made threatening statements and that his property was missing when they left the vehicle. Plaintiff was arrested without probable cause, charged with a felony, and incarcerated for fifty-eight days. Defendants falsely initiated criminal proceedings against Plaintiff, knowing there was no evidence that Plaintiff had committed a crime or was involved in the alleged crimes. All charges were ultimately dismissed. Due to Defendants’ actions, Plaintiff suffered severe, per...
Ramoodit, Tilack, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV07006,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, December 22, 2015, ended November 3, 2016
$47,500 Settlement
Amended Complaint,
Complaint,
Original Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers warrantlessly entered Plaintiffs' residence, assaulted them, arrested them and took them to the 106th Precinct. Plaintiffs 1, 2, and 3 were charged with OGA, Dis Con, and Resisting Arrest. Plaintiff 2 was also charged with Assault in the second degree. All charges against all Plaintiffs were later dismissed. Officer Adelman also sued him for his injuries in Queens Court Case # 700015-2014
Alvarez, Jonathan vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV04110,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, November 10, 2015, ended September 23, 2016
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Plaintiff was in the park with 7 of his friends when plain-clothed defendant officers approached them, accusing them of having weapons. Refused to identify themselves and allow plaintiff and his friends to film the incident, defendant officers assaulted the plaintiff, handcuffed him, chocked him and brought him to the 102nd precinct, which let to hospitalization. Plaintiff was assaulted again at the precinct by the defendant officers. The charges and outcome of charges were unknown.