Conclusion Meanings:
'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'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 6 known lawsuits, $112,500 total settlements.
Valentino, Shabanova vs City Oof New York, et al.
Case # 26CV00910,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, February 5, 2026
Bolton, Shady vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 153048/2025,
Supreme Court - New York, March 7, 2025
Garnett, Najee vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV02930,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 21, 2015, ended May 24, 2016
$45,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers stopped Plaintiff in a public housing lobby, falsely arrested him and assaulted him, causing him to suffer a seizure on his was to the 25th precinct. He went into a coma at the hospital for 5 days. Charged with Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Attempted Tampering with Physical Evidence, Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. Dismissed for failure to prosecute. An a second occasion, Plaintiff was again stopped by officers in the public housing lobby, strip searched at the 23rd precinct, and charged with Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree, later dismissed.
Velez, Benjamin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 159205/2014,
Supreme Court - New York, September 25, 2014
Complaint
Description: On or about October 4, 2013 Plaintiff was lawfully walking on the sidewalk when PO "John" Ortega and PO "John" Doe approached and asked Plaintiff questions in an intimidating manner. Without provocation, POs grabbed Plaintiff by his neck, squeezed his neck, and slammed Plaintiff against a brick wall while forcing his head against the wall, resulting in severe injuries to Plaintiff's cervical spine. POs then used excessive force to slam their handcuffs onto Plaintiff's wrists, resulting in severe injuries to Plaintiff's wrist. At no point did Plaintiff resist or provide justification for the brutality. Plaintiff was taken to the 23rd Precinct where despite repeated requests for medical attention none was provide...
Lopez, Edgardo vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 156518/2014,
Supreme Court - New York, July 25, 2014, ended July 15, 2016
$12,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On September 13, 2013, plaintiff was visiting a resident who lives in the building located at 310 E. 102nd St, NY, NY. While plaintiff was exiting the building, Ortega stopped plaintiff. Ortega searched plaintiff's person and did not find contraband. Ortega arrested plaintiff and drove him to the 23rd Precinct. At the Precinct, plaintiff was photographed, fingerprinted, processed, and placed in a holding cell. On September 14, 2013, plaintiff was arraigned in New York Criminal Court. At arraignment, he was released on his own recognizance. On February 18, 2014, the complaint was dismissed and sealed.
Safford, David vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 151929/2014,
Supreme Court - New York, March 5, 2014, ended September 22, 2016
$55,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On March 27 and March 28, 2013, Plaintiff was unlawfully stopped, searched, arrested, and subjected to excessive force by NYPD Officers Norman Ortega, Keno Chambers, Sergeant John Doe #1, and Officers John Doe #2 and #3. The officers slammed him against a wall, slapped him in the head, forcibly handcuffed him, and conducted a strip search without probable cause or legal justification. He was then taken to a precinct and held at Central Booking before being charged with crimes he did not commit.
